Social media backlash leads to removal of Confederate flag from North Carolina booth at D.C. fair

A Confederate flag image that appeared on a video display inside the North Carolina booth at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was removed on June 26 after it was highlighted on social media, according to USA Today. The removal was confirmed by a spokesperson for North Carolina Governor Josh Stein's office.

The display reportedly showed split screens of the current North Carolina state flag alongside the Confederate flag, USA Today reported. The juxtaposition at a state-sponsored exhibit drew immediate criticism online, prompting the governor's office to act.

"The governor condemned the display of a Confederate flag at the state's booth, calling it divisive and inconsistent with the state's values," TMZ reported. Stein ordered the flag's removal shortly after the social media posts surfaced.

The incident has reignited debate about historical symbolism and representation at public events, with both outlets noting the tension between honoring heritage and promoting inclusivity. The North Carolina booth has since replaced the contentious imagery with a display featuring only the official state flag.