Texas Governor Greg Abbott isn’t afraid to take a stand. After a woman from Australia took to TikTok to criticize the ubiquity of the American flag in the United States, Gov. Abbott hit back with a four-word response: “Go back to Australia.”
The woman's tirade against the prevalence of flags in the United States, saying “there are too many American flags” and complaining that they are on “houses; they’re on cars; saw them on couch cushions” prompted Texas’ Governor, a Republican, to take action. Abbott quickly responded to her video via Twitter: writing “Go back to Australia.”
Go back to Australia.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/VsZ9pOWlrA
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 14, 2023
In the clip, the woman also contrasts the American flag with the Australian flag, saying she’s only seen the Australian flag “on the Harbour Bridge,” which is a major bridge in Sydney Harbor. She also pointed out the ease at which she could “draw the American flag from memory” because of its omnipresence.
In an effort to stand up for the “symbol of freedom and hope,” as Abbott characterized it, Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA) Troy Balderson (R-OH) Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) have introduced a piece of legislation that requires American flags on federal property or procured by federal agencies to be made in America with American materials.
“We should be making our flags in the Land of the Free” Senate Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in an official statement to honor Flag Day.
Meanwhile, the Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA) offers “Made in the U.S.A” certification seals to producers of American-made flags. According to FMMA, only 94 percent of American flags are manufactured in the US, and US law dictates that every American flag must be labeled with its country of origin.
Abbott has been a long-time supporter of the US flag, actively participating in flag retirement ceremonies and recently encouraging Texans to display their flags proudly. In his Twitter post responding to the Australian TikToker, Abbott wrote: “Texas and America are great because of all our patriots, not because of any one political view. So, how about this? Display your patriotism in any way you want. We’ll continue to fly our flags proudly.”
Clearly, Gov. Abbott is not afraid to take a stand. When it comes to the US flag, he insists it is an undeniable symbol of the “Land of the Free” that should remain prominent in the United States.