An image is circulating online, showing an American flag lying on the ground at the White House, which has quickly sparked questions and concerns over what happened to the flag.

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.

According to the U.S. flag code, the flag should never touch anything beneath it. That guidance, according to the Cornell Law School, reads: “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.”

What To Know

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.

A separate image, which has been shared on social media, shows the flag lying on the floor, with no one else in the frame.

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The incident has sparked questions about what has happened and why the flag was on the floor.  

In one post on X, Alex Cole, a software engineer, shared the image of the flag, and wrote: “The flag on the ground at the White House. Yikes!”

What People Are Saying

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.”

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.”

What Happens Next

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