A Donald Trump fan who built a giant 'T' in his front yard in support of the Republican nominee says the people who set fire to it overnight should be charged with a hate crime.

Sam Pirozzolo, from Staten Island, New York, blamed 'pro-Hillary thugs' for torching his 12-foot high tribute to The Donald, which was painted in the colors of the American flag.

'Pro Hillary Clinton thugs use gasoline to set fire to big Trump T on my lawn,' Pirozzolo wrote on Facebook, while sharing an image of the sign on fire.

A Donald Trump supporter was furious when a giant 'T' he built in his front yard (pictured) in support of the Republican candidate was set fire overnight

Sam Pirozzolo, from Staten Island, New York, blamed 'pro-Hillary thugs' for torching his 12-foot high tribute to The Donald (pictured left and right)

'It was about 1am last night and my wife, two kids and I were sound asleep when our neighbors rang the doorbell to tell us the "T" was ablaze,' he told SILive.com.

'I hope that this incident is elevated from an arson to a hate crime, because that's how I see it since it was done on my private property.

'Thank God it didn't spread to my home, which is in close proximity to the sign.'

Firefighters were called to Pirozzolo's house in Castleton Corners shortly after 1am to put out a 'rubbish fire'.

'Pro Hillary Clinton thugs use gasoline to set fire to big Trump T on my lawn,' Pirozzolo (pictured) wrote on Facebook

Pirozzolo says he built the sign with the help of local artist Scott Lobaido as a 'subtle' show of support for Trump (pictured)

It took about 20 minutes to get the blaze under control, a NYFD spokesman told SILive.com.

Pirozzolo, who runs an eye care store in Astoria, told the New York Post he built the sign with the help of local artist Scott Lobaido as a 'subtle' show of support for Trump.

'[The artist] made it about two months ago when a lot of people showing Trump support were being booed, jeered or harassed,' he said.