Want a 'covfefe' license plate? Not going to happen in Montana

Phil Drake | Great Falls Tribune

HELENA -- While some states have granted requests from drivers to have President Donald Trump's mystery word “covfefe” on a personalized license plate, don’t expect to see it in Montana.

Joann Loehr, the bureau chief for the title bureau, a subdivision of the Montana Vehicle Division, said her research has led her to determine it would be inappropriate.

Early May 31, Trump tweeted: "Despite the constant negative press covfefe.”

Hours later the president tweeted: “Who can figure out the true meaning of "covfefe" ??? Enjoy!"

Some believe the president had meant to write “press coverage.”

CNN reported last week that drivers in at least 21 states have requested "covfefe" license plates.

Online, The Urban Dictionary, a crowdsourced (meaning it gets contributions from a large group) repository of slang words and phrases says this about covfefe:

“Covfefe is the once-secret name of an ancient tentacle monster that white supremacists fornicate with. The name was leaked to the public when Donald Trump, well-known leaker of classified info, tweeted while relieving his arousal upon its girth.”

Loehr said given that popular definition, such a license plate would be in bad taste.

“It’s a connotation we would not want on our streets,” she said. “We have to keep it tasteful and not disrespectful.”

Loehr said her decision also reflected what is in state statutes and that a panel had backed her decision.

She said no such request had been made in Montana as of early Monday.

Montana had 2.7 million vehicle registrations in 2016, according to the MVD website.

Loehr said she did not immediately know how many personalized plates there were on Montana roads. The plates are made at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

However, in 2007, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators ranked Montana fifth for personalized plates with 9.8 percent of its plates as vanity plates. Virginia was first with 16.19 percent.

According to the MVD website, a $25 personalized plate application fee is required in addition to other applicable plate fees. It’s nonrefundable, and the applicant should provide three plate choices and meanings in case one of the choices is rejected.