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3h ago

White House Denies Flag Touched Ground After Viral Photos From Trump’s Return

The administration says high winds prompted staff to lower the banner into a container, pushing back on images that appeared to show it on the lawn.

US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House upon his return to Washington, DC, on November 16, 2025.
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A group of people in a formal office setting, with an open document on the desk; flags and photographs are in the background

Overview

  • Photos taken Nov. 16 show President Trump returning to the White House with an American flag appearing to lie on the South Lawn, and the images spread widely online.
  • The White House told People that the flag “never touched the ground,” saying it was lowered into a special container due to high winds during the Marine One landing.
  • Newsweek and Mediaite reported earlier that the White House had not offered an explanation, and Mediaite said calls for comment were not immediately returned.
  • Some observers first blamed Marine One’s rotor wash, then noted additional footage suggested the flag was already down before the helicopter arrived, leaving the cause unclear.
  • The episode drew attention because U.S. Flag Code says the flag should not touch the ground and because Trump recently installed tall flagpoles and has emphasized flag symbolism, including an order targeting flag-burning.