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riversedge

(78,946 posts)
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:34 PM Nov 17

Social Media Erupts as US Flag Seen on the Ground Behind Trump at White House

Source: yahoo.com


Tom Durante Mon, November 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM CST


(Screenshot/Jose Luis Magana/AP photo)

It’s a scar-spangled banner for President Donald Trump.

As the president returned from Palm Beach on Monday night, some social media users were quick to point out that as he walked, an American flag could be seen on the ground behind him, a clear violation of the U.S. Flag code.

The code states the following: “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.”


It was a surprising sight for the Trump White House, especially given Trump’s advocacy for Old Glory.

In 2017, he attacked NFL players who knelt for the playing of the national anthem, saying, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired.'”......................










Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/social-media-erupts-us-flag-171145369.html



I wonder--or I assume Trumps new flag poles are not doing their job!


@WJDupont
Seeing the American flag lying on the White House lawn as President Trump returns is just absolutely f’ing insane… 🤯


?s=20
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Social Media Erupts as US Flag Seen on the Ground Behind Trump at White House (Original Post) riversedge Nov 17 OP
I don't think it's insane. It's a perfect symbol of Trump's respect for the US duhneece Nov 17 #1
This image captures his entire presidency fujiyamasan Nov 17 #3
Putin is pleased DSandra Nov 17 #12
It could go down in history PatSeg Nov 17 #23
Oh just put him in a submersable and send him to an ocean jail. Trueblue1968 Nov 17 #31
It really indicates the type of people he has employed. The reason that everything has to be purged. LiberalArkie Nov 17 #39
Biden left it there. djt twodogsbarking Nov 17 #2
Exactly! DeeDeeNY Nov 17 #33
If Biden appeared in a picture with a flag in that condition... Paladin Nov 17 #43
The media has guzzled down the Trump Kool Aid, now wait to see what happens. twodogsbarking Nov 17 #44
Migrant beef cattle snuck across the border and did this IronLionZion Nov 17 #4
Trump should hang another painting in the Oval Office depicting him slouching past the desecrated flag. sop Nov 17 #5
precisely. file under B.See Nov 17 #35
The damage control they're trying to spin now, is that D. Spaulding Nov 17 #6
there is some guy (white shirt, black coat) between the flagpole and the tree and it looks like there is someone else orleans Nov 17 #30
Newsweek: riversedge Nov 17 #7
Good to have more links. Thanks. BlueWavePsych Nov 17 #8
The White House explanation is plausible but not yet proven fargone Nov 18 #63
He doesn't give a shit about the flag. If no one was around he would wipe his ass with it. Autumn Nov 17 #9
He shits all over this country and it's citizens. AZ8theist Nov 17 #10
I believe it would be better described as a metaphor. flashman13 Nov 17 #11
I see the problem here... BurnDoubt Nov 17 #13
That thing has been desecrating the flag for years. Melanie too. catbyte Nov 17 #14
Desecrating the flag. lastlib Nov 17 #22
There was a guy in a focus group who said that he decided to vote for Trump when he hugged the flag! Fil1957 Nov 17 #24
OMG! O. M. G.! calimary Nov 17 #25
Those signatures look like they're mimicking each other. calimary Nov 17 #28
There used to be a time when even wearing American flag apparel was frowned upon Polybius Nov 17 #55
Barf warning ahead. Here's G Gordon Liddy sporting a patriotic swim suit progressoid Nov 18 #62
Dragging the entire country through the mud. BattleRow Nov 17 #15
He is obviously focused on BarbD Nov 17 #16
Karma Justice matters. Nov 17 #19
Yes. Cut the nasty old man some slack. not fooled Nov 17 #20
Nope!!! calimary Nov 17 #26
Was this one of Asshole's new mega-flag poles? n/t SpankMe Nov 17 #17
"" AllaN01Bear Nov 17 #18
Even the used car dealership with the giant flagpole manages to keep the flag off the ground. Vinca Nov 17 #21
"Get that son of a bitch out of the White House right now! He's fired!" NBachers Nov 17 #27
Dramatic foreshadowing I hope. GreenWave Nov 17 #29
Which one is more pathetic looking? Diamond_Dog Nov 17 #32
Before I saw the picture markodochartaigh Nov 17 #34
No shit popsdenver Nov 17 #36
At least he's not wearing a tan suit. Buddyzbuddy Nov 17 #37
was it on purpose ? Nigrum Cattus Nov 17 #38
Desecratin' Donny Dump Blue Owl Nov 17 #40
"Trump's advocacy for Old Glory" tanyev Nov 17 #41
Surprised he didn't try to hump it while it was down. republianmushroom Nov 17 #42
No one has ever seen the flag flown this way. twodogsbarking Nov 17 #45
And his failure to notice or care. mahina Nov 17 #46
I don't think, even the smartest ones here, thought that TSF would be bluestarone Nov 17 #47
The source is MEDIAite, whose reporters and editors produced this article progree Nov 17 #48
Another sad metaphor for trump's failed presidency. mwb970 Nov 17 #49
Heads will roll SusieCreamcheese Nov 17 #50
Flagpoles at White House risk Helicopter Operations LetMyPeopleVote Nov 17 #51
"...As the president returned from Palm Beach on Monday night..." Miles Archer Nov 17 #52
This place sets the tone! leanforward Nov 17 #53
I shared the photo on FB LittleGirl Nov 17 #54
Trump wipes his ass with the Constitution daily, so the flag has even less meaning for him. Orrex Nov 17 #56
He looks so deranged and insane. kimbutgar Nov 17 #57
Not a peep from those MAGA vets. Crowman2009 Nov 17 #58
No suprise timms139 Nov 17 #59
I think it is fitting, in honor of Cheney Skittles Nov 18 #60
Ironic to me that it's the flag MadameButterfly Nov 18 #61
Reminds me of a flag lowering ceremony I participated in when I was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Gimpyknee Nov 18 #64

duhneece

(4,454 posts)
1. I don't think it's insane. It's a perfect symbol of Trump's respect for the US
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:40 PM
Nov 17

It’s perfect in its symbolism.

fujiyamasan

(1,022 posts)
3. This image captures his entire presidency
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:43 PM
Nov 17

Slumped over old man, with the our flag on the ground.

PatSeg

(51,599 posts)
23. It could go down in history
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:02 PM
Nov 17

as a symbol of when Trump's presidency imploded. I think we'll see that image many times in the future.

LiberalArkie

(19,139 posts)
39. It really indicates the type of people he has employed. The reason that everything has to be purged.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 04:36 PM
Nov 17

It should have happened after Bush was president and especially when Biden came in. The right has too many people that are not in DC for service to the country, only themselves.

Paladin

(32,116 posts)
43. If Biden appeared in a picture with a flag in that condition...
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 05:36 PM
Nov 17

...the trump hordes wouldn't shut up about it for months. The rightwing national media would see to that. Nothing but crickets chirping in the background, since trump is involved---the usual double standard...

sop

(17,048 posts)
5. Trump should hang another painting in the Oval Office depicting him slouching past the desecrated flag.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:56 PM
Nov 17

He can put it up right next to his raised-fist-after-being-"shot"-in-the-ear masterpiece.

D. Spaulding

(434 posts)
6. The damage control they're trying to spin now, is that
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:05 PM
Nov 17

the flag was being lowered into a special container due to high winds. I've looked at different photos so far, and it doesn't appear to me that's the case. And there's no one around the flag pole; are they saying it's automated and the WH can't even spare an official detail to lower it properly? I've raised and lowered flags on military bases in an official capacity many times in my military career, and I'm highly suspicious of their excuse. I think someone fucked up somehow.

orleans

(36,568 posts)
30. there is some guy (white shirt, black coat) between the flagpole and the tree and it looks like there is someone else
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:21 PM
Nov 17

bent over between the flag and the pole.

(they're still assholes and they probably did fuck up. the flag was probably on the ground for several hours before anyone noticed)

riversedge

(78,946 posts)
7. Newsweek:
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:07 PM
Nov 17




US Flag Lying on Ground at White House Raises Questions

https://www.newsweek.com/american-flag-floor-white-house-donald-trump-11057234

Nov 17, 2025 at 05:02 AM EST


.............Newsweek has contacted the White House outside of normal business hours via email for comment


Why It Matters

President Donald Trump installed two large flagpoles on the White House grounds, both nearly 100-feet-tall, which sit in the north and south lawns.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has overseen renovations to the people’s host, marking some of the most significant changes in modern presidential history, from the Rose Garden being bulldozed and paved over to bathroom renovations and the construction of a ballroom in the East Wing.

In an image taken on November 16, Trump is pictured returning to the White House after having spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

As the president walks on the lawn, behind him, the American flag is lying on the floor.


...............

The White House has not publicly responded or explained what led to the flag being on the ground as of reporting..........................


fargone

(528 posts)
63. The White House explanation is plausible but not yet proven
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 01:08 PM
Nov 18

Snopes has yet to resolve the issue (https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/11/17/white-house-flag-on-ground/). The photo does not definitely establish that the flag is on the ground. It is too dark and there are shrubs (the metaphor is brilliant, though and should be used as much as possible). There are at least 2 people behind the flag. Are they secret service or grounds keepers, I don't know. Newsweek said the flag appeared to be on the floor which is silly because there is no floor outside. There is a corner of a possible container at the bottom of the pole. That could be easily confirmed by a daylight photo. If the White House weren't incompetent they would have already done that. It would be an easy show and tell. There are lots of online pictures of the erection ceremony but the ground around the base was clear at that time, no shrubs, no lights, nothing. Was it unusually windy NWS data could confirm that. Obviously the helicopter brings additional wind. If it is standard protocol for a certain wind speed and helo landing there should be other examples. The lights pointing up in the sky might be shut off for helo landings. Don't want to accidentally blind the pilot.

Autumn

(48,692 posts)
9. He doesn't give a shit about the flag. If no one was around he would wipe his ass with it.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:14 PM
Nov 17

The flag is nothing more than a rag he uses to tickle the dicks of his true believers and get them excited.

AZ8theist

(7,002 posts)
10. He shits all over this country and it's citizens.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:18 PM
Nov 17

Why would desecrating the flag come as a surprise with this asshole??

BurnDoubt

(1,296 posts)
13. I see the problem here...
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:24 PM
Nov 17

That's the OLD flag.
The NEW flag is coming in two weeks, according to "un-named sources".
It'll have twelve stripes, because that's the Best Age for girls, and fifty Gold stars, because he's doing such a great job!
Thank you for your attention to this matter!

lastlib

(27,271 posts)
22. Desecrating the flag.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:00 PM
Nov 17

A violation of the US Flag Code.

Also desecrating the flag:


The American flag has joined the #metoo movement as a victim of a sexual assault.

Fil1957

(433 posts)
24. There was a guy in a focus group who said that he decided to vote for Trump when he hugged the flag!
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:07 PM
Nov 17

What a moron! You vote for someone 'cause he does something obviously stupid?

But it would explain why so many people are bent out of shape by the picture of the flag on the ground.

calimary

(88,642 posts)
28. Those signatures look like they're mimicking each other.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:12 PM
Nov 17

Or maybe she changed hers to match his, once she got involved with him?

No idea. All I do know is that they both look demonic.

Polybius

(21,248 posts)
55. There used to be a time when even wearing American flag apparel was frowned upon
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 09:08 PM
Nov 17

Or so I was told by some old timers.

BattleRow

(2,062 posts)
15. Dragging the entire country through the mud.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:38 PM
Nov 17

Last edited Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Low down and dirty..all the way.

BarbD

(1,359 posts)
16. He is obviously focused on
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:40 PM
Nov 17

trying to put one foot in front of the other.

Egad! Doesn't know where he is, where he's going or where he's been.

Vinca

(53,084 posts)
21. Even the used car dealership with the giant flagpole manages to keep the flag off the ground.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:59 PM
Nov 17

markodochartaigh

(4,708 posts)
34. Before I saw the picture
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:29 PM
Nov 17

I assumed that the flag was wadded up with the Constitution in a trash can.

popsdenver

(1,202 posts)
36. No shit
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:48 PM
Nov 17

maybe they are trying to destroy the White House American Flag, so he can begin running up one with a giant picture of him on it.....

He has already put large banners permanently on some Federal Buildings with his picture silk screened on it.....Just like all the other dictators in other countries.......
Contracts have probably already gone out for a 20' marble bust of him to put out in front of the Taj Mahal Ballroom.....
And one for Stephen Miller, just in case..........

tanyev

(48,408 posts)
41. "Trump's advocacy for Old Glory"
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 05:18 PM
Nov 17

Oh, is that what the media sane-washers are calling this?

bluestarone

(20,900 posts)
47. I don't think, even the smartest ones here, thought that TSF would be
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 05:50 PM
Nov 17

Allowed to do everything he's doing to our AMERICA!

progree

(12,614 posts)
48. The source is MEDIAite, whose reporters and editors produced this article
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 05:58 PM
Nov 17

Yahoo is simply the hosting site for articles from a wide wide range of sources, including ones from Fox.

Yahoo does also produce articles, this article (loaded with opinions) shouldn't be confused with those.

SusieCreamcheese

(19 posts)
50. Heads will roll
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 07:37 PM
Nov 17

Heads will roll when he sees this picture. He is so careful to present himself as a strong patriot. Here he looks defeated in front of a desecrated flag.

LetMyPeopleVote

(173,314 posts)
51. Flagpoles at White House risk Helicopter Operations
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 08:20 PM
Nov 17

trump added these flags. It may be that the flags have to taken down if trump arrives by helicopter


See https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220412949

Miles Archer

(21,145 posts)
52. "...As the president returned from Palm Beach on Monday night..."
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 08:25 PM
Nov 17

So the taxpayer-funded 3-day play weekend is now a taxpayer-funded 4 day weekend. Got it.

leanforward

(1,126 posts)
53. This place sets the tone!
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 08:47 PM
Nov 17

1) Why is the flag in the dirt?, and
2) Who/Why let that pole be placed in the WAY of air traffic?

The tone is set by tRump. And it is now apparent that those responsible are afraid to advise of respect or aviation safety for fear of retribution.


Orrex

(66,480 posts)
56. Trump wipes his ass with the Constitution daily, so the flag has even less meaning for him.
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 09:47 PM
Nov 17

timms139

(459 posts)
59. No suprise
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 11:17 PM
Nov 17

he has wiped his orange anus for 10 years with the flag and everything it stands for .

MadameButterfly

(3,683 posts)
61. Ironic to me that it's the flag
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 02:53 AM
Nov 18

and the sex that is going to get him, especially the pedophilia they've been chasing since Pizzagate. That's what MAGAs care about. Not democracy, raiding the treasury, invading cities, ending due process, loss of healthcare, foreign dictatorships, war crimes, NATO, revenge prosecutions, pardoning criminals, social security, the planet, and all the deaths yet to come.

Gimpyknee

(994 posts)
64. Reminds me of a flag lowering ceremony I participated in when I was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 01:33 PM
Nov 18

It was for the evening colors ceremony more than fifty years ago. The flag was an overly large holiday flag that was also flown on Sundays. The ensign had been exposed to an ice storm throughout the day and was completely encrusted in ice. We were unable to lower it and I needed to use a ladder to climb up and cut it down. A crusty old Chief Boatswain’s Mate said he would have my ass if I allowed it to drop or touch the ground.

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