When Sean Spicer stepped up to the podium to begin his daily press briefing at the White House on Friday, eyes quickly turned to his lapel.
Donald Trump's press secretary was inadvertently wearing his American flag pin upside down.
As he launched into a recap of Mr Trump's first 50 days in office, people on social media were quick to notice his error and joked about its potential meaning.
Some pointed out that an upside down flag is traditionally seen as a sign of distress.
Federal law says a flag should never be upside down "except as a signal of dire distress" https://t.co/bFbx4rzyDb pic.twitter.com/vumVcvPHU2
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 10, 2017
@kylegriffin1 Is it a subtle cry for help?
— Rich Cruse (@RichOnOWN) March 10, 2017
@kylegriffin1 He is clearly in distress.
— Frog Girl Films (@froggirlfilms) March 10, 2017
Others wondered if Mr Trump's spokesman was trying to deliver a subtle act of political protest.
Fox News reporter John Roberts eventually told him of his wardrobe malfunction when he was called on to ask the first question of the briefing.
After being alerted to his error, Mr Spicer quickly turned his pin the right way up.
Several people pointed out the pin resembled US political TV drama House Of Cards' logo of an upside-down US flag.
One of the journalists asked if he was simply a fan of the show and was giving it a little additional advertising.
Laughing, Mr Spicer answered: "No, there's no promo. Now, on to your questions."
House Of Card's official Twitter account was also quick to poke fun, posting: "Your loyalty has not gone unnoticed."
Your loyalty has not gone unnoticed. https://t.co/ba1kz1yvXF
— House of Cards (@HouseofCards) March 10, 2017
The show's executive, Dana Brunetti, also added to the jokes: "His check is in the mail."
