Only in Northern Ireland could a historic visit by the leader of the free world be reduced to a row about flags.
US president Joe Biden's official vehicle had an Irish tricolour on it during his trip to the Republic, but no Union flag while he was north of the border.
A "major snub" was how GB News described it, with resident presenter and commentator Arlene Foster calling for an explanation from the White House.
Read more: Brendan Hughes: Joe Biden trip a grand distraction from Northern Ireland's issues
"I hope it's not the case that he does not recognise Northern Ireland's case within the United Kingdom which is of course part of the Good Friday Agreement," she said.
The former DUP leader has been vocal this week as part of her broadcast commitments, leading unionist criticism of Mr Biden during his four-day trip to the island of Ireland.
Dame Arlene claimed the US president "hates" the United Kingdom and said he is regarded as "simply pro-republican and pro-nationalist".
She was not the only one to denounce Mr Biden before he had even uttered a word during his trip.
Former DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds described the president's administration as "transparently pro-nationalist", while party MP Sammy Wilson branded Mr Biden "anti-British".
DUP MP Ian Paisley, of Sri Lanka holidaying fame, felt qualified enough to label the president as "unfortunately quite gaffe prone".
Rancour from the DUP backbenches was not unexpected, but the language used by Dame Arlene was surprising.
For someone who once held the office of First Minister of Northern Ireland, many would expect more careful diplomacy.
Even former Ukip leader Nigel Farage thought the word "hate" used by Dame Arlene was "too strong".
It felt as though the DUP faithful were getting their criticisms in early, anticipating Mr Biden to pour scorn on the party for continuing to block Stormont power-sharing.
But in the end the president's keynote speech at Ulster University's Belfast campus - his main engagement in Northern Ireland - was almost universally well-received for being measured and balanced.
Mr Biden mentioned his British ancestral connections and spoke of the pride the United States has in the "Ulster Scots immigrants who helped found and build my country".
He expressed his support for the Windsor Framework deal on Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol and his hope that the devolved institutions will be restored, but his tone was far from lecturing.
"As a friend, I hope it's not too presumptuous for me to say that I believe the democratic institutions established in the Good Friday Agreement remain critical for the future of Northern Ireland," he said.
As uncomfortable as the president may have found navigating our political minefield, it was Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who found himself in perhaps a more awkward position.
The DUP leader was forced to spend the day distancing himself from his predecessor and party colleagues' scathing comments.
With such a frosty reception from unionists who regard the United States as the UK's closest ally, it was little wonder that Mr Biden seemed much more relaxed in the Irish Republic.
He received a rapturous reception and clearly revelled in embracing and exploring his Irish ancestry.
Setting aside his gaffe of saying "Black and Tans" instead of the All Blacks, this was a largely successful trip for the US president.
From visiting a pub in Co Louth to chatting with Irish president Michael D Higgins, the visit served up many positive news stories and images to beam back to Irish-American voters.
His address in Dublin in which he said the UK "should be working closer" with the Irish government to support Northern Ireland could be seen as a rebuke to Downing Street.
Both the US and UK dismissed speculation of a rift over the choreography of the long-planned trip after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed Mr Biden to Northern Ireland but did not attend his Belfast speech.
But in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Biden's central message was one of peace, friendship and renewed cooperation between the nations.
After years of turbulence caused by Brexit, it is a message few could disagree with - regardless of which flags are being waved.
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