Sean Spicer began his briefing with his lapel pin upside down, and Twitter lost it
White House
It remained that way for several minutes as Spicer read from his prepared statement.
Omarosa Manigault, director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison, passed Spicer a note once he wrapped up his initial statement, seemingly about the flag pin mishap. Spicer touched the pin but was unsuccessful in his initial attempt to turn it to its proper side.
Fox News' White House correspondent John Roberts then alerted Spicer that the pin was still upside down.
"John Roberts, always helpful with the fashion tips," Spicer said, with the pin still upside down.
"It's still upside down," another reporter chimed in.
"Thank you," Spicer said, fixing the flag pin. "I appreciate that."
Spicer and the reporters shared a laugh about the moment.
USflag.org, as the New York Daily News reported, says an upside-down flag is a sign of distress.
The reaction on Twitter was somewhat predictable:
Yes, this reporter joined in too:
House of Cards, the popular political Netflix show, also made sure to come to the party, since the flag was facing the same way it is in the show's logo:
FYI, displaying the flag upside down is a distress signal. I'm starting to think the administration is deliberately taunting the rest of us.
- Heather C Richardson (@HC_Richardson) March 10, 2017
Sean Spicer fixes his flag pin pic.twitter.com/yYWjrlxN39
- Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) March 10, 2017
Sean Spicer accidentally wears flag pin upside down at start of press briefing https://t.co/5BcSuUZ5jn pic.twitter.com/kvGrCWpNqa
- The Hill (@thehill) March 10, 2017
Wow. Spicey needs a whole lot more than an upside down flag as an SOS signal. https://t.co/KyOaRRgy6E
- Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) March 10, 2017
chillax about the dumb upside-down flag pin
- Jesse Singal (@jessesingal) March 10, 2017
When you're giving a speech and your American flag pin is upside down. pic.twitter.com/ylLLLPZcHK
- Anthony Dominic (@tmzanthony) March 10, 2017
"This is what the flag looks like. Period." https://t.co/nee717aMV8
- quinn cummings (@quinncy) March 10, 2017
The upside-down flag pin clearly means that Spicer's being held hostage. https://t.co/lkT0iwLqRo
- Kashana (@kashanacauley) March 10, 2017
LapelGate pic.twitter.com/8yEicHWtge
- Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) March 10, 2017
A Friday, in three parts pic.twitter.com/jHbSP601Qi
- Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) March 10, 2017
Your loyalty has not gone unnoticed. https://t.co/ba1kz1yvXF
- House of Cards (@HouseofCards) March 10, 2017
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