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Why Is the American Flag Lying on the Ground at the White House? Image of Trump Raises Questions
Questions arise over the American flag lying on the White House lawn, with no explanation yet and U.S. flag code prohibiting the flag from touching the ground.
- On Nov. 16, 2025, President Donald Trump returned to the White House as a photo showed an American flag lying on the South Lawn behind him after his weekend at Mar-a-Lago.
- Given President Donald Trump installed two nearly 100-foot flagpoles on the White House grounds, observers noted the U.S. flag code forbids the flag touching anything beneath it.
- Photographs and video footage showed the flag in different positions, and Getty Images photographer Mandel Ngan confirmed the image's provenance while an update suggested it was down before Marine One arrived.
- After the image circulated, Newsweek sought comment and the White House provided an explanation that White House spokesman Davis Ingle told People `This is fake news`, adding high winds forced staff to lower the flag into a special container during the Marine One landing.
- Social media users seized on the image and criticized the apparent breach of flag protocol, while Snopes and other fact-checkers could not fully confirm all versions of the imagery.
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11 Articles
'Dire Distress' Signal Spotted On White House Lawn
An American flag was spotted lying on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night, a sight that typically signals “dire distress.” The Stars and Stripes were blown off Donald Trump’s newly installed flagpole after the rotor wash from Marine One’s landing knocked it to the ground. Trump was photographed walking past the fallen banner as he returned from Mar-a-Lago. More Fake News. The beautiful American Flag that was installed by President…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 22%
R 22%
Factuality
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