Florida Radio Station Teams Up with Trump: A New Name and Face for Bold Entertainment!

If you’ve ever seen an ad or billboard that looked familiar, you might have come across “Trump Country” 93.7 FM, a country radio station in Fort Myers, Florida. Launched on Inauguration Day after President Trump began his second term, the station quickly grabbed attention with its bold new identity.

WHEL radio rebranded itself to embrace the Trump era. They even used designs similar to Trump’s campaign materials, featuring an animated image of the president sporting a cowboy hat. It’s an interesting move, given that President Trump had a 64% approval rating in Lee County during the 2024 election.

Despite his fluctuating approval nationwide—hovering under 50%—WHEL’s ratings soared. The station’s audience among adults aged 25 to 54 tripled since March. According to Nielsen’s ratings from July, it became the second highest-rated country station in the area.

Jim Schwartzel, the station’s president, claims that “Trump Country” stands out in American broadcasting. Their slogan, “Make Country Great Again,” mirrors Trump’s famous campaign phrase, showing how his brand still resonates deeply within certain communities.

The station infuses its programming with references to Trump through promos, including a voice actor who mimics him. Recently, one promotion playfully compared vacation trips to Mexico to deportation, actually using humor to engage listeners. While they avoid heavy political topics, the jokes certainly create a satirical atmosphere around Trump’s presidency.

Don Tanner, a radio industry expert, observes that WHEL is part of a trend where radio stations are finding creative ways to stay relevant amid fierce competition. With streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music drawing listeners away, stations need unique content. Tanner suggests that branding like WHEL’s can be an effective way to attract an audience.

In an environment saturated with media options, radio stations like WHEL are taking risks to connect with their listeners. While some might question the long-term viability of such branding, it certainly highlights how Trump’s influence persists even beyond his presidency.

As for Schwartzel, he’s also in the political arena, aiming for a U.S. House seat. This dual role of media executive and politician may raise eyebrows, but it underscores the intertwined nature of political and commercial interests today.

In Florida, where Trump remains a popular figure, “Trump Country” is not just a radio station; it’s a reflection of how media, politics, and cultural identity overlap.

You can find more on this topic from sources like CBS News for the latest updates and community reactions.

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