President-elect Donald Trump called out Democrats on Friday, saying that they are “giddy” about the American flag being flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day due to President Jimmy Carter’s death.
A proclamation signed in 1954 calls for flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days after the death of a sitting or former president. Carter died at his home in Georgia on December 29, meaning flags won’t be raised to full-staff until sunset on January 28, more than a week after Trump is sworn into office.
“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves. Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess!
“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,” he added. “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Some leftists have rejoiced over the fact that flags will be flying at half-staff when Trump is sworn into office. Jon Cooper, former Long Island, New York, campaign chair for President Barack Obama wrote, “Jimmy Carter left one last parting gift for Trump after his death. Since the American flag flies at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings after the death of a former president, on Trump’s inauguration on January 20 all flags will be at half-staff in Carter’s honor.”
The highly-followed leftist X account “BrooklynDadDefiant” wrote, “Good morning and Happy Monday to everyone who is saddened by the loss of the great President Jimmy Carter, but glad to know that flags must now be flown at half staff during Felon 47’s unholy inauguration. Carter is a hero, even on his way out.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Friday’s press briefing that the White House is not considering raising the flags to full mast for Inauguration Day. The flag code is not enforced by federal law, so Trump could order the American flag to be raised to full-staff after he is sworn in on January 20.
When asked if President Biden will consider reversing or reevaluating the order to have flags flying at half-staff for President Carter on Inauguration Day.@PressSec: "No." pic.twitter.com/UAI4LWnLxM
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 3, 2025
Carter’s funeral will be held at Washington National Cathedral on January 9 where President Biden will deliver a eulogy and Trump will be in attendance. Shortly after Carter’s death, Trump wrote, “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time,” he added. “We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
