Delta Airlines removed a passenger from a flight this Saturday at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport due to a provocative t-shirt depicting former President Donald Trump.

A controversial shirt led to a man's ejection from the plane before takeoff, the New York Post reported.

Early Saturday morning, airport staff noticed a man wearing a black t-shirt featuring Donald Trump in American flag-colored sunglasses and an offensive slogan. The shirt depicted Trump holding up two middle fingers with the phrase "Hawk tuah spit on that thang," referencing a notorious R-rated internet meme.

Airport Encounter Leads To Flight Disturbance

The passenger's attire quickly sparked complaints from others at the airport, prompting airline staff to intervene. According to Delta's policies, passengers can be asked to change their clothing if it is deemed to offend or annoy other passengers.

After being approached by a Delta employee about the inappropriateness of his shirt, the man agreed to turn his shirt inside out and proceeded to board the flight without further incident.

Controversy Aboard The Aircraft

However, the resolution could have been more-lived. Right before the aircraft was set to take off, the man reversed his shirt to its original state, displaying the controversial image and slogan once more.

This act led to Delta staff deciding to remove the man from the flight. As he was escorted off the plane, he protested, claiming his ejection was solely because of his shirt.

He loudly remarked to the other passengers, "And this is her reporting — stupid-ass Wendy," targeting the flight attendant named Wendy, who had initially handled the complaint.

Public Reaction And Employee Enforcement

The incident was captured on video by a Reddit user named SKBeachGirl, who later posted it online with additional commentary. "Next thing I know, right before takeoff, a Delta employee comes on the plane and escorts him off the flight; he had flipped his shirt back to the decal side," she explained.

The video quickly gathered views and sparked a broader debate on social media about the boundaries of free expression and the enforcement of airline policies.

Delta Airlines has not publicly commented on this specific incident. Still, their Contract of Carriage does make it clear that any conduct or attire that might be offensive or annoying to other passengers is grounds for removal.

Community Reflections On Airline Policies

Lisa Archbold, a fellow passenger, echoed the sentiments of the airline, stating, "The agent said my attire was 'revealing' and 'offensive' and that it violated the airline's policy." Her statement highlights the subjective nature of what may be considered offensive.

The debate continues as people weigh the rights of individuals to wear what they choose against the responsibility of airlines to maintain a comfortable environment for all passengers.

The incident raises questions about where the line should be drawn between personal expression and public decency on commercial flights.