Donald Trump didn't break Florida law by wearing MAGA hat inside polling station

What is the claim?

Following the 2024 United States presidential election on November 5, Donald J. Trump has emerged as the winner. Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media claim that President-elect Trump broke the law by wearing a "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) cap inside a Florida polling station.

An X (formerly Twitter) user stated, "Trump can’t even vote without committing crimes! That MAGA hat is illegal inside Florida polling places.” Another user shared an image captioned, "Trump is wearing his MAGA hat inside the polling place, which is illegal." 

Before being deleted, this post garnered over one million views and more than 26,000 likes. Several other users also shared screenshots or clips alleging Trump had broken the law. Archived versions of these posts are available here, here, here, here, and here.

Screenshot of the viral social media posts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, our research shows that while one video captures Trump at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center polling station—where campaign apparel is permitted in Florida—the other viral video was filmed at his campaign headquarters in Palm Beach.

Video 1: Trump at a polling station

The first video shows Trump and his wife, Melania, against a white and blue background, speaking to reporters after casting their votes on November 5 at the Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. Following his vote, Trump briefly addressed the media (archived here and here) in the Smith Family Fieldhouse gymnasium, wearing a MAGA hat. This prompted some social media users to claim that campaign apparel is illegal at Florida polling stations.

However, the Florida Department of State’s “Polling Place Procedures Manual” clarifies that "voters are permitted to wear partisan items and bring campaign literature for personal use," including hats, buttons, and shirts.

Screenshot of "Polling Place Procedures Manual." (Source: Florida Department of State/Modified by Logically Facts)

Additionally, a "Myths vs. Facts" document from the town of Palm Beach states that voters may "wear campaign buttons, shirts, hats, or any other campaign items when they enter the polling place to vote, though they may not otherwise campaign there."

A USA Today report citing the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) confirms that Florida has no restrictions on campaign merchandise in polling stations. While electioneering is prohibited within 50 feet of polling place entrances, the law allows exit polls and prevents active campaigning but permits voters to wear campaign-related apparel.

Alison Novoa, Public Information Officer for the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, told Logically Facts, "Wearing campaign apparel while voting is not against Florida law." 

Barry Burden, Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, added, "It does not appear that Trump was breaking the law. Florida allows voters to wear campaign apparel, including hats while voting. Outright electioneering is not permitted in Florida, but Trump’s hat was not a violation of law."

Video 2: Trump and Melania walk into a room

A reverse image search identified another video filmed from a different angle and uploaded by NBC News on November 6, 2024, titled, “Melania Trump joins Donald at campaign headquarters on Election Day.” In this video, Trump and Melania are seen entering the campaign headquarters in Palm Beach to thank staff.

In the NBC News video, Trump and Melania’s movements match the viral clip, with a person in blue and a striped tie beside Melania. The audio, including applause and Trump’s exclamation, is also consistent.

A comparison between the NBC video and the viral clip. (Source: NBC News/X/Modified by Logically Facts)

Forbes Breaking News posted a similar clip on YouTube (archived here), describing it as footage of the Trumps greeting staff and supporters at campaign headquarters.

The verdict

Videos circulating online claim President-elect Donald Trump broke the law by wearing a MAGA hat at a polling station. While one video shows him at campaign headquarters, the other captures him wearing the hat at a polling station. However, Florida law permits voters to wear campaign apparel, including hats, at polling stations.

Follow Logically Facts' coverage and fact-checking of the U.S. Election 2024 here.