The upside-down American flag has been a symbol of distress since the nation’s founding, originally used by sailors to signal that their ships were in danger. However, in recent times, the flag has also been adopted by protesters across the political spectrum to signify that they believe the nation itself is in grave peril. Following the 2020 election, supporters of former President Trump began displaying the inverted flag to show their belief in his false claims of election fraud, even before the votes were counted. The practice gained national attention when it was reported that an upside-down flag was flown outside the home of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. in response to a neighbor’s insulting yard signs.
The use of an inverted flag as a distress signal originated in the British Isles in the 17th century and became a common way for sailors to call for help. This meaning was reflected in the U.S. flag code, which states that the flag should only be displayed upside down as a signal of dire distress. Over the years, the upside-down flag has become a symbol of political protest, with historical examples including Henry David Thoreau using it during an antislavery speech in 1854 and protesters using it to oppose the Vietnam War in the 1960s and ’70s. However, there has also been backlash against the use of the flag in this manner, with some Americans being prosecuted for desecrating the flag.
In recent years, the upside-down flag has been used by various groups to voice their opposition to different political events and policies. Tea Party activists displayed it during the re-election campaign of President Obama, and protesters carried it during demonstrations following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014. The flag was also associated with the ‘Stop the Steal’ movement in 2020, which denied the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s defeat in the presidential election. The flag became a common sight among Trump supporters in the ‘Stop the Steal’ ecosystem.
According to Alex Newhouse, a researcher at the University of Colorado, Boulder, the upside-down flag has become a symbol commonly used by MAGA and QAnon communities. It has been embraced by hard-core Trump supporters as a way to express their beliefs that the nation is facing imminent peril and to call for action. The flag has become part of the hyperpartisan symbolic landscape of politics, especially on the right, where it is seen as a rallying cry for those who believe the nation is on the brink of collapse. Other symbols, such as thin-blue-line flags and Punisher skulls, are also associated with similar ideologies.
The use of the upside-down flag as a political emblem has been met with both support and criticism. While some view it as a powerful statement against perceived injustices and threats to the nation, others see it as a disrespectful and divisive symbol. The meaning of the flag is fluid, evolving based on the context in which it is used and the beliefs of those who display it. As the flag continues to be associated with various political movements and ideologies, its symbolism and significance are likely to remain a topic of debate in the national conversation.
