On Tuesday, the Republican Party's official Twitter account posted to mark the Fourth of July, writing, "247 years ago, our forefathers told Ol' King George to get lost! Happy Independence Day from the GOP!"
There was just one problem: the flags they used in the graphic were not the American flag. They were the Liberian flag.
Liberia is a West African nation that was established as a colony for free and formerly enslaved Black Americans, in an era when the citizenship of even free Black Americans was questioned. It was a time that many who opposed slavery weren't sure if they could ever have full equal rights and participation in American society.
The GOP's tweet was swiftly deleted — but not before being buried in an avalanche of mockery and criticism from commenters on social media.
"You'd think they'd recognize the flag they beat cops with," wrote the account @iputadollarin. "BREAKING: GOP officially pledges loyalty to Liberia by posting their flag on the 4th of F**king July," tweeted @middleageriot.
"You know, I try hard to warn organizations that their crack comms teams will inevitably mess something *~fundamental~* up, and nevertheless, they persist," tweeted communications strategist Zack Brown. "From your dear friends at the Republican National Committee, Happy Independence Day, Liberia!"
