President-elect Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to lower American flags to half-staff in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter, criticizing the move as unprecedented during an incoming president's inauguration.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump voiced his frustration, claiming, "Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out." He also baselessly accused Democrats of being "giddy" about the flags being lowered during his inauguration.
The tradition of lowering flags to half-staff to honor deceased political figures is longstanding, regardless of political party. Typically, flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days to mourn the passing of a current or former president.
Under President Joe Biden’s proclamation, flags will remain at half-staff until a week after Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Since this is a presidential proclamation, Trump will not have the authority to alter it until after he is sworn in.
Trump's relationship with Carter, who passed away at 100 on Dec. 29, was less contentious than with other Democratic leaders. While Trump previously criticized Carter’s presidency and called him the “worst president,” he refrained from any attacks after Carter’s death, acknowledging that Carter “did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans.” Trump has also stated his intention to attend Carter’s funeral.
Trump has previously taken issue with flags being flown at half-staff. In 2018, after the death of Senator John McCain, he ordered the White House flag to be raised to full-staff, sparking backlash from both Republicans and Democrats. Trump later reversed his decision and lowered the flag. His strained relationship with McCain, who did not invite him to his funeral, was a source of ongoing tension. Trump later complained about not receiving a “thank you” for giving McCain “the kind of funeral he wanted.”