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Not only is it President Donald Trump's birthday—er, John McCain Day—but the 14th of June also marks Flag Day which celebrates the adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States.
Naturally, the White House found a way to make it all about the president...and make everyone uncomfortable in the process.
https://t.co/c40BQpZFtW— The White House (@The White House) 1560527406.0
Trump has routinely criticized NFL players who don't stand or salute the flag for the national anthem to protest police violence against black Americans, but Trump—a five-time draft dodger—considers embracing the flag to be the ultimate sign of respect.
Others don't see the gesture as respectful at all.
@WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump That photo intensifies the disgust most veterans and active duty military feel when th… https://t.co/OECKBRRAyC— American Veteran (@American Veteran) 1560532638.0
@WhiteHouse Pretty sure that respect for the flag doesn't entail dry-humping it.— Benjamin Dreyer (@Benjamin Dreyer) 1560538463.0
@WhiteHouse I know it's asking a LOT from you folks in the @WhiteHouse, but please take down this picture. Dry hump… https://t.co/cNo5vXEK92— Private Joker, USMC (@Private Joker, USMC) 1560534741.0
@Infantry0300 @WhiteHouse Seriously this picture is so disrespectful and embarrassing, if they had any common sense… https://t.co/DhHS5KoQjb— justagirl (@justagirl) 1560535388.0
People were downright exasperated at the White House's—and Trump's—tactlessness.
@WhiteHouse ::checks:: "Yup, that's the official WH twitter." Of all photos. This. 😐— Rich McCoy (@Rich McCoy) 1560528185.0
@WhiteHouse I had to look to see if this was a satire account.— Mark L. Tomlin (@Mark L. Tomlin) 1560527558.0
And for some, the picture brought to mind a certain tape from Trump's past...
@WhiteHouse What's he grabbing this by— Brooke Binkowski (@Brooke Binkowski) 1560528878.0
@Free_Media_Hub @WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump #GRABEMBYTHEFLAG— regular name for 11 months (@regular name for 11 months) 1560530100.0
@Pappiness @WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump He didn't even ask. Grabs them by the stripes.— Gibodean (@Gibodean) 1560530241.0
@WhiteHouse And when you’re a star, the Flag let’s you do it.— Andrew C Laufer, Esq (@Andrew C Laufer, Esq) 1560530827.0
The President's embrace of the flag has raised eyebrows before, and even inspired a John Oliver segment, but the White House bragging about what many perceive to be a faux pas is downright—well, actually, it's pretty on-brand.
Yikes.