In the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s guilty verdict on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money trial, a wave of protests and outrage has swept through his supporters and right-wing commentators. Images of upside-down American flags have flooded social media platforms as a symbol of defiance and dissent against the conviction. Prominent figures such as Lara Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have shared images of inverted flags online, amplifying the message of protest.
Notable right-wing pundits, podcast hosts, and regular Americans have rallied around the symbol of the upside-down flag following Trump’s conviction. Figures such as Fox News contributors Guy Benson and Katie Pavlich, conservative talk show hosts Graham Allen and Owen Shroyer, and far-right conspiracy theorist Ali Alexander have shown solidarity with the protest. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, also joined the movement by posting an image of an upside-down American flag alongside its logo, symbolizing opposition to the guilty verdict.
Social media platforms were filled with incendiary rhetoric, with some referring to the verdict as a declaration of “war” or a precursor to a potential “civil war.” The phrase “RIP America” trended on various platforms immediately after the verdict, demonstrating the divided reactions to Trump’s conviction. Some posts alluded to the end or collapse of America, drawing parallels to the fall of the Roman Empire. Influential figures like Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy invoked historical references in their statements following the verdict.
The upside-down American flag, traditionally a signal of distress, has become synonymous with the “Stop the Steal” movement that falsely claims the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Despite numerous investigations and court rulings debunking claims of widespread fraud, the movement persists. The flag code, while not legally enforceable, states that flags should not be inverted except as a signal of “dire distress.” However, the symbol has been used as a form of protest for decades, from anti-Vietnam War demonstrations to modern-day political dissent.
The use of the upside-down flag in protest has a rich history, dating back to anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and legal battles over the right to display the flag in such a manner. The “Appeal to Heaven” flag, a symbol of American resistance during the Revolutionary War, has also been utilized by far-right and Christian nationalist movements. This flag, seen at Trump rallies and during the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, further exemplifies the deep political divisions and ideological clashes in contemporary America. The widespread adoption of symbols and rhetoric post-conviction reflects the polarizing impact of Trump’s legal troubles on the nation.
