The act has prompted an angry response from veterans’ association American Legion, who told New York Daily News that it was “disrespectful and shouldn’t be done”.

The rapper took to Twitter today to defend himself, saying it was simply an accident and wasn’t intended to be part of the video.

I didn't step on the flag on purpose! It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) June 18, 2013

Lil Wayne was filming the video for his new track I Am Not a Human Being II, which includes the lyric “the stars on the flag are never shining”, in his hometown of New Orleans.

Last week, American television station HGTV caused anger when they suggested that the stars and stripes could be used as a tablecloth. 

Watch the video here and decide for yourself: