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We saw a ‘Democrats for Trump’ billboard in Roxborough and asked questions about it. Then it went away.

There were two problems with the "Democrats for Trump" sign in Roxborough. One, it said the local Republican ward paid for it. And two, the local Republican ward said it did not pay for it.

A billboard that reads "Democrats for Trump" is visible along the 5700 block of Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 16, 2020. The political disclaimer says it was paid for by the 21st Ward GOP but the ward leader there says he knows nothing about it.
A billboard that reads "Democrats for Trump" is visible along the 5700 block of Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 16, 2020. The political disclaimer says it was paid for by the 21st Ward GOP but the ward leader there says he knows nothing about it.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

Clout spotted a pair of complications when we spied the brief lifespan of a “Democrats for Trump” billboard on Ridge Avenue, at the southern end of Roxborough in Philadelphia last week.

First, the disclaimer for who paid for it — required by state and federal law — said it’s the local Republican ward who put up the money, not the Democrats who are purportedly fans of President Donald Trump.

Second, Walt Vogler, the Republican leader of the 21st Ward, said he had nothing to do with it. Even though Clout informed him the billboard says, “Paid for by 21st Ward GOP” — the name of his ward’s political action committee.

“Absolutely not,” Vogler said. “I know nothing about it.”

Adding to the mystery, the billboard vanished after Clout starting asking questions about it. By Saturday, it had been replaced with an advertisement about lowering blood pressure.

Vogler said the billboard was “absolutely” a violation of state law requiring accurate attribution for political advertising.

Clear Channel Outdoor, the billboard owner, did not respond to requests for information.

» READ MORE: More Clout: Trump is wrong about voter fraud, Tom Ridge says

Democrats outnumber Republicans in the ward, 67% to 19%. Trump won 27% of the vote there in 2016.

Lou Agre, the Democratic ward leader, smells shenanigans in the wind.

“If there is really a Democrat for Trump in the 21st Ward he’s the only one,” Agre said.

Maybe someone felt envious of the Republican Voters Against Trump effort, reported recently by Clout, posting more than 130 billboards across Pennsylvania with messages from Republicans explaining why they are voting for former Vice President Joe Biden.