Pay to Play
Ante $15 Million
Trump is entitled to a presidential library. I suspect he might decide to ask for two—one for each administration. One in New York. The other in Florida.
He’s not the kind of guy who likes to share a spotlight or consolidate possibilities for enrichment and glory. I would be amazed to learn he has not been wheeling and dealing about the location of his one or two libraries since he won Election 2016.
And I have some basis, other than utter destain for the man and his inoperative moral compass, to believe he likely is working the angles on these real estate opportunities. Texas has three presidential libraries. I have familiarity with the nature of the negotiations for the design and construction of each of them. Each was a long and lucrative brass knuckles real estate game. No way Mr. Big can resist a chance to profit.
The inauguration of Donald John Trump as the 47th President of the United States likely will have precisely one item of interest to me. With which flags will he elect to display what little allegiance he has to offer other than to himself? And, whatever the appearances of the moment, how likely is the display nothing more than a real estate bargaining chip?
What is the issue?
Well, it’s all about symbols of commemorative moments in our history as a country.
The front porch of the U.S Capitol Building is where the inaugural address traditionally is delivered. It is a delicious irony that 47 will present his credentials and vision in a peaceful setting. On the same porch his true believers stormed just four years previously at his invitation—to deny on that day the transfer of power to someone other than himself.
The Capitol façade has six sets of columns. That means there are five spaces between the columns. The front door opens toward the space (or bay) between the two most center columns, which are each single in number. The outriding bays are flanked by columns that are dual in number.
Traditionally—and, therefore, totally up for grabs by the Shock Jock in Chief--the Betsy Ross flag is flown in the two outside bays behind the new President as he (or she or it) delivers his (or her or its) inaugural address to the nation and the world.
Typically, the flag of the home state of the new-sworn speaker is displayed in the bays between the Betsy Ross flags and the front door. For Obama, for example, it was the state flag of Illinois. The current flag of the United States of America is flown over the center bay.
And, here is the point of interest—usually the flag of the home state flown at the augural event indicates where the President intends to construct his (or her or its) presidential library. The place which chronicles the events of his (or her or its) time in office and explains his (or her or its) attitude and actions toward those outside forces.
Donald Trump recently directed $15 million of incoming tributes toward the construction of his presidential library. He did not mention the location of the edifice. A photograph of the façade of the U.S. Capitol on 20 Jan 25 will give us a hint.
Choices, Choices, Choices
47 was born and conducted his raging desire for power and fame in the State of New York. New York became a state on July 26, 1788, making it the 11th state to join the United States.
Its star is included in the original 13—in the linear pattern that replaced Betsy’s circle. While this flag is not generally flown, it is correct as to position within the history of union. 47 could choose to fly it as a defiant middle finger to the city who scorned his crass conduct and the state that pursued him vigorously for crimes and misdemeanors while he was out of office. Or as a promise to return in triumph.
47 retreated to Florida after Biden won Election 2020. “In 1985, Trump acquired the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.[54] In 1995, he converted the estate into a private club with an initiation fee and annual dues. He continued to use a wing of the house as a private residence.[55] He declared the club his primary residence in 2019.[38] “
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump
Florida became the twenty-seventh state in the United States on 03 March 1845. The commemorative flag of Trump’s present home state would look like this:
Or, Trump could elect to fly the current 50-star flag.
This display would serve at least three purposes.
1. It would brand him as above tradition;
2. It would deny favor to any one state (for now); and,
3. It would shield his thinking and real estate machinations from immediate view and comment.
It also would give us all the opportunity to consider how to arrange 51, 52, 53, or 54 new stars—Canada, Greenland, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia—on our national banner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_flags_of_the_United_States
Of course, We the People might have our representatives in Congress decide that counting stars is silly. Let’s just go for a flag that requires no adjustments.
This fine flag is currently out of stock, but it is available for consideration, adaptation, adoption, and use. Any close member of the family is available to handle your inquiries in a discrete manner. Discount for large orders.
Flag flying over and near the Capitol is like weather in that it continues all day, every day of the year. I wonder how many Americans know there is a full-time staff of people running American flags up the pole, saluting it, pausing, and taking it down. All day and every day, weather permitting. With an order list for more than 100,000 American Flags Officially Flown Over the Capitol, that's a lot of up the pole, down the pole, and put the flag in its tracking box, then sent to the Architect of the Capitol for distribution. Yes, indeed, flag expertise and flag flying are in the wheelhouse of professional architects.