Yet this incident also demonstrated the ability of factual clarification to reshape a narrative. Once the White House released the details of the situation, many online commenters adjusted their perspectives, recognizing that the initial claim did not match the actual circumstances.
The story ultimately became less about the photograph and more about the process by which public perception forms—and reforms—in response to new information.
Conclusion
The controversy over the White House flag serves as a case study in how quickly assumptions can form when images circulate without context. What was interpreted by some as mishandling of a national symbol was, in reality, a routine precaution taken to protect the flag during windy helicopter landings.
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