Donald Trump complained on Friday about the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff during his upcoming inauguration to honor the late President Jimmy Carter.
Carter died on Dec. 29 at his home in Plains, Georgia.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the flag must be flown at half staff for 30 days at all federal buildings and grounds following the death of a president or former president.
Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 inauguration date falls within the 30 day window which means flags will be at half staff during the ceremony.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claims “Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration” because they “don’t love our country.”
“Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess!” he continued. “In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
At a briefing on Friday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters President Biden won’t consider reversing or re-evaluating the flag order.
Carter is set to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9. His state funeral will take place on Jan. 9 at the National Cathedral in Washington. President Biden is expected to deliver one of the eulogies.Trump has also said he will be in attendance.
