The Divided States of America 

“Our flag is not just one of many political points of view. Rather, the flag is a symbol of our national unity.” -Adrian Cronauer, Vietnam War Veteran, Air Force Broadcasting Specialist, and inspiration behind Good Morning, Vietnam

Since the creation of the original Betsy Ross design in 1776, America has always had a strong connection to the national flag. Our flag has flown, in one form or another, during all the moments that define our country. As for any other nation in the world, our flag represents a supposed sense of national pride that has proven throughout history to be essential to national unity. The history of America is reflected by its flag, each star and stripe telling its own story of challenge, struggle, and triumph. And yet, during this politically complex and conflicted time, such a symbol of unity that is supposed to bring a people together instead divides us. This article will explore how the American flag has become synonymous with the far right and even MAGA-based rhetoric since the rise of Trump.

Before Trump’s first presidential term starting in 2016, it seemed as though the flag represented what it was originally intended to: the people and pride of the United States of America. A person of any political affiliation could freely fly it in front of their house or display it from the back of their car without fear of judgment or political assumptions towards them. As bizarre as it may seem to the rest of the world that any other reality would exist, the last few years have unfortunately seen a rise in far-right-leaning institutions using the flag as a symbol of their political affiliation as opposed to that of their country as a whole.

While Trump has not directly addressed or encouraged such a mentality, his apparent obsession with the American flag alludes to the source of the trend. According to the New York Times, it is widely speculated that his style of dressing, wearing exclusively red, white, and blue, is an attempt to mimic the American flag and therefore condition Americans to think of him when they think of America. At a CPAC conference (Conservative Political Action Conference) in 2020, Trump even went so far as to display physical affection towards the flag while approaching the stage to give his marquee speech (pictured below). It is widely believed that this was meant as a strategic embrace towards himself, subtly (or not so subtly, as the flag was concerned) promoting the association of the flag with himself and his supporters.

This monopolistic sort of approach to the flag that belongs to all 336 million Americans is also on par with the trends in alternate American flag designs created to carry various political messages, such as the “thin blue line flag”, an adaptation of the original stars and stripes that is associated with right-leaning views on the police, and has appeared at many Trump rallies as well as during the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Also present during the January 6th attack was the Confederate flag, which is commonly associated with white supremacist values. There are also, of course, the many MAGA and pro-Trump flags seen throughout the country that no other president in American history has ever inspired so widely.

Generally speaking, this trend of associating the American flag with MAGA and Trump’s general rhetoric has negatively affected the left, more specifically liberal Americans who are proud of their country and want to be able to display their national pride without being immediately pinned as a Trump supporter. In many left-leaning communities, the presence of American flags has practically become taboo, and as a result, patriotism itself has become synonymous with Trump and his ideology. The changing meaning of the American flag bears witness to the current state of our nation; its polarity, and general unwillingness to compromise or find common ground even when faced with global dilemmas and challenges that should unite us instead of continuing to tear us apart. If we as a nation are unable to share even a flag without hostility and debate, what can be expected of our country when the time comes to make far more impactful decisions? While it is uncertain what Trump’s impact on the future will be, one thing is clear: the political tension between the left and right must be eased if we want to move forward as a nation, because America does not belong to a single party or group. It belongs to all of us, and we need to start acting like it.