The White House has responded to a photo appearing to show the American flag on the ground after it prompted widespread scrutiny.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle said: “The beautiful American flag on the White House South Lawn that was recently installed by President [Donald] Trump never touched the ground.
“Due to the high winds on Sunday evening in the Washington, D.C. area, the flag was lowered into a special container out of an abundance of caution during the Marine One landing.”
Newsweek contacted the White House outside of regular business hours via the form on its website for further comment.
Why It Matters
The incident, which took place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, has raised questions about compliance with the U.S. Flag Code and the symbolism of the American flag on the Executive Mansion’s South Lawn.
The handling of the American flag carries deep cultural and legal significance in the United States.
President Donald Trump, who installed two nearly 100-foot flagpoles on the White House grounds earlier this year, has publicly advocated for strong penalties against flag desecration.
What To Know
A photo by professional photographer Mandel Ngan, showing Trump returning from Palm Beach on November 16, appears to display the American flag at the base of a flagpole on the South Lawn, partially resting on the ground.
The image rapidly went viral on social media and news platforms, with critics alleging a violation of federal flag etiquette. A post on X by Alex Cole showing the alleged incident had been viewed 1.8 million times at the time of writing.
The White House has maintained that the flag remained properly handled at all times.
Does White House Flag Violate US Flag Code?
Under Title 4 of the U.S. Flag Code, Chapter 1, “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.”
The same section provides that exceptions can be made during emergencies or inclement weather, and that if the flag must be lowered for protection, it should be handled with the utmost respect.
Images purportedly showing the White House flag not fully inside its storage container, with parts seemingly touching the bushes or ground, circulated widely online, but the authenticity and context of these photos have not been independently verified by Newsweek at the time of reporting.
Photographs and social media posts alleging the flag touched the ground have drawn widespread attention, though definitive proof remains limited.
What People Are Saying
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle called reports about the flag being on the ground “fake news.”
President Donald Trump has been outspoken about the flag’s symbolism. In August, he issued an executive order directed at criminalizing flag burning, calling the act “uniquely and inherently offensive and provocative” and saying it “is a statement of contempt and hostility toward our nation.”
Andrew Leyden, a journalist and former lawyer, wrote on X: “The @POTUS returned to the White House but the rotor wash from Marine One blew down the American flag on the new flagpole. UPDATE: Upon review of additional footage, it appears the flag was down before Marine One arrived. Not sure why.”
The White House, in a June post on social media, when the flags were installed: “Two new flagpoles now rise at the White House—proud, unwavering, and free. This isn’t just a symbol; it’s the American story—written in sacrifice, stitched with courage, and raised for all the world to see. One nation. Under God. Forever proud.”
The account @OccupyDemocrats, a Democratic social media account, in a post on X: “This is how the White House treats the flag of the United States of America? They just let it lie on the ground! I’m sure our U.S. military members who follow the page could share the rules for handling the flag! Once again, Trump is a travesty against our great nation.”
What Happens Next
The White House has yet to provide a detailed chronological explanation or official documentation regarding the exact handling of the flag during the incident.
No official investigation into the alleged incident has been announced.
