President-elect Donald Trump expressed unhappiness on Friday that all US flags will be flying half-mast during his inauguration on January 20.
тАЬNobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it,тАЭ Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
The Republican sounded conspiratorial as he blamed the Democrats for the situation and accused US President Joe Biden’s party of being delighted about the downbeat optics.
тАЬThe Democrats are all тАЬgiddyтАЭ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at тАЬhalf mastтАЭ during my Inauguration. They think itтАЩs so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they donтАЩt love our Country, they only think about themselves. Look at what theyтАЩve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – ItтАЩs a total mess!тАЭ Trump wrote.
He also suggested the possibility of flags being ordered back up for his inauguration, saying the half-mast тАЬmayтАЭ happen and тАЬletтАЩs see how it plays outтАЭ.
US press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ended speculation by saying the White House is not considering reversing the decision, news agency AP reported.
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To honour late POTUS Jimmy Carter
Biden had ordered all US flags to be lowered on federal buildings and grounds in honour of the late President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec 29. Flying the country’s flags at half-mast for 30 days is a customary practice in the US.
A state funeral will be held for the longest-lived late president on January 9. Biden had urged Americans to visit their places of worship to тАЬpay homageтАЭ to the late US leader.
Also read | Biden subtly slams Trump while paying tribute to the late Jimmy Carter
тАШIтАЩll be thereтАЩ, says Trump
Trump, a frequent critic of Carter, chose to attend the six-day funeral service and praised the late president after his demise.
тАЬWhile I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for,тАЭ Trump wrote of Carter. тАЬHe worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect,тАЭ Trump had said.
(With AP inputs)
