Jack White, frontman of The White Stripes, published a patriotic Instagram post on July Fourth that reclaimed the American flag from what he called a "tyrant" in the White House. In the post, White offered a reminder to Americans disenchanted with the current state of the country under President Donald Trump's leadership.
White's Message on Independence Day
"I leave you with a reminder: MAGA doesn’t own our flag and never will," White wrote. "And definitely not on this anniversary of a nation currently in peril that was founded on the indelible human right, duty, and endeavor to fight against tyranny and the current tyrant we suffer under today."
Despite the criticism of Trump, the Grammy-winning musician focused most of his post on celebrating aspects of American life that make him proud. "Happy 250th to America! And even more importantly the concept that America is a possibility, a promise of an attainable ideal, all things achievable in the pursuit of happiness and true freedom," he wrote.
Celebrating Americana
White listed cultural touchstones he cherishes: "I believe in the rock and roll band in the garage, the protest in town square, the drive in theater, the workers on the way to the car plant, the melting pot and the integration of faiths, Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly." He also mentioned Thanksgiving dinner, soup kitchens, the Grand Canyon, and skyscrapers.
His argument resonates with many on the left who feel the flag has become MAGA-coded under the Trump administration. Ryan, an anonymous Ohio-based Democrat, told HuffPost in June: "I do a side-eye every time I see something that is overly flagged up, like people with a big flag on their shirt, because I feel like it has been co-opted into a conservative thing."
Trump's Use of the Flag
Trump has been photographed hugging and kissing the American flag, often conflating patriotism with partisanship. White's post sought to reclaim the symbol, making flying the flag feel "punk rock" again for those opposed to the current administration.
