Florida radio station triples rankings after rebranding as Trump Nation

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A Florida radio station has discovered success after rebranding as "Trump Nation" 93.7 FM and embracing MAGA with President Donald Trump because the face and voice of the operation.

WHEL radio, a rustic station situated in Fort Myers, Florida, makes use of the slogan "Make Nation Nice Once more," options signage that mirrors a Trump marketing campaign advert, airs comedic promotions learn by a Trump impersonator and even makes use of an AI-generated cowboy hat-clad Trump in its brand.

"We made the rebrand resolution shortly after President Donald Trump’s election landslide and witnessed all the help in our space for Trump in boat parades and rallies. So, we made the choice that we'd additionally have a good time Trump’s win by rebranding on inauguration day," WHEL president and common supervisor Jim Schwartzel advised Fox News Digital .

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WHEL president and common supervisor Jim Schwartzel stands subsequent to his 1985 Ford F-150 with "Trump Nation" 93.7 FM branding. (WHEL)

Schwartzel stated "suggestions has been large" and the station’s viewers has grown considerably for the reason that rebrand.

"The individuals who have discovered the station have a good time and pay attention for lengthy intervals of time," Schwartzel stated, noting that WHEL has probably the most TSL — Time Spent Listening — of any nation radio station within the space at a mean of 5 hours and 45 minutes per week.

WHEL has tripled its rankings among the many advertiser-coveted demographic of adults 25-54 since March, in response to Nielsen Radio Knowledge supplied by Schwartzel that was first reported by CBS News . CBS additionally famous that Trump gained 64% of the 2024 presidential vote in Lee County, the place "Trump Nation" 93.7 FM is situated.

"We love conserving it native and serving Southwest Florida’s distinctive viewers, reflecting their values, music and tradition," Schwartzel advised Fox Information Digital.

One latest satirical on-air promo featured a Trump impersonator providing a visit to Mexico on a "huge, stunning cruise ship" that was billed as a particular deportation permitting contest winners to return residence to Florida .

"You wish to be deported? You’ve acquired to pay attention. That’s the way it works, authorized listening solely," the Trump impersonator says.

Schwartzel stated his employees writes and information all of the content material themselves.

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President Donald Trump’s reputation in Florida has helped WHEL discover success. (Mehmet Eser / Center East Photos through AFP through Getty Photos)

"Generally now we have over 50 liners for a single promotion. We take a number of callers and play them again on the radio," Schwartzel stated. "That is about entrepreneurship, innovation and having enjoyable on native radio."

WHEL additionally has a promotion known as "The Cancel Bowl," the place listeners depart voicemails describing "probably the most pathetic woke factor you’ve seen" to be performed on-air.

"Each week, one caller wins the Trump Nation Tailgate Command Equipment (flamethrower grill starter, a rack of ribs, camo slicing board, and flag toothpicks), and one true patriot takes residence the Freedom 5 Thousand… that’s $5,000 in money to spend on weapons, grills, steaks, ammo, flags, or something assured to set off your liberal cousin. We’ll play the calls that set off tofu-eaters all over the place. As a result of this isn’t simply soccer season, it’s a season to cancel," WHEL states on its web site.

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WHEL president and common supervisor Jim Schwartzel stated he was impressed by Trump boat parades and rallies.

The station additionally has a 1985 Ford F-150 that's "logoed up" with "Trump Nation" 93.7 FM branding.

Schwartzel is working for Congress in Florida as a Republican candidate, looking for to fill the seat held by Rep. Byron Donalds. It’s fairly clear Trump would have one other ally if Schwartzel is in the end profitable.

"Jim is working for Congress to provide President Donald J. Trump the help he wants and to combat for the conservative values that make Southwest Florida sturdy. He’s not a profession politician with ambitions for increased workplace—like President Trump, he’s a straight-talking outsider who’s fed up with the D.C. swamp ignoring actual Individuals," it states on the Schwartzel for Congress web site.

The White Home didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

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Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX Information Digital. Story suggestions might be despatched to brian.flood@fox.com and on Twitter: @briansflood.