Should we be concerned? White House press secretary Sean Spicer wore his flag pin upside-down during a press conference on Friday, March 10, and Twitter had a field day.
According to Cornell University law school’s official site, an American flag flown or displayed upside-down is usually a signal of distress. (It bears noting that the American flag used in the House of Cards logo makes use of an upside-down flag.)
Spicer, 45, was about to take questions from the gathered reporters when Fox News’ John Roberts pointed out the press secretary’s faux pas. “And with that, I’d be glad to take your questions,” Spicer said before he called on Roberts.
![White House press secretary Sean Spicer holds up a Trump Administration document to "repeal and replace Obamacare" as he talks to the media during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, March 10, 2017.](/wp-content/uploads/sean-spicer-2-0b2ea6ed-1153-4c4c-a460-9863e7997b15.jpg?w=1000&quality=70&strip=all)
“I was gonna say, your pin’s upside down,” Roberts said helpfully. Spicer, clearly flustered, grinned and attempted to fix the pin. “John Roberts, always helping me with the fashion tips,” he said as he fidgeted with the metal pin.
Another reporter pointed out: “It’s still upside-down,” and someone off-camera can be heard joking, “Is that a distress call, Sean?”
![White House press secretary Sean Spicer adjusts his American flag pin after he was told that it was upside down, Friday, March 10, 2017, during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington.](/wp-content/uploads/sean-spicer-7a71e4e3-f91e-4203-8ef0-2e9de6a3110d.jpg?w=1000&quality=62&strip=all)
Yet another reporter chimed in, “House of Cards promo?” at which Spicer laughed and responded, “No, there’s no promo.”
On Twitter, users quickly caught wind of the awkward moment and responded with a flurry of witty commentary.