Confederate flag display at Great American State Fair ignites firestorm

A Confederate flag display at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. was under fire on Friday, according to reports.

The flag was part of an interactive exhibit for North Carolina and shared in a viral video shared on X by Reuben Jones, Spectrum News Washington Correspondent.

"I stopped by the North Carolina booth at the 'Great American State Fair' on the National Mall today. The state decided not to participate because of the high costs so the booth is sponsored by private orgs," Jones wrote.

His video panned around the room, showing multiple Confederate flags on television screens mounted to the display's walls.

The flag drew "unwanted attention," Jones reported for Spectrum News and elicited a response from North Carolina state officials who said the controversial flag was "unapproved."

"This display does not reflect the North Carolina that we love. America 250 is about unity and bringing our nation together. Glorifying this divisive Confederate symbol does the exact opposite. We demand the organizers stop dishonoring the flag of North Carolina," the North Carolina governor's office told Spectrum.

One of the booth sponsors, Mt. Olive Pickle Company, said it was ending its participation at the event. The company shared this statement:

"Mt. Olive Pickle Company was invited to participate in the North Carolina exhibit for the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th celebration," the statement said. "We are proud of our North Carolina roots, and we agreed to be a part of an exhibit, as presented to us, that would represent the best of our great state. We were unaware that an image of the Confederate flag was included in a video as part of this exhibit, and we have withdrawn our participation. Our company stands on values of human dignity, opportunity, and freedom."

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein shared this statement with TMZ after the video went viral.

"This flag does not represent the North Carolina that we love. America 250 is about unity and bringing our nation together. We are pleased the flag that did the opposite has now been taken down. Here in Raleigh, North Carolina, we are hosting a July 4th A250 celebration that will honor the spirit of equality and freedom in the Declaration of Independence. Everyone is welcome."