North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein told WRAL News that “this flag does not represent the North Carolina we love. @ReubenJones1The White House-backed Freedom 250 organization launched the celebrations in June, with Trump promising the festivities would be “great” and “unbelievable.” Josh Stein condemned the display, saying: “This flag does not represent the North Carolina we love. Nathan Howard/Reuters“It is unacceptable to ask the American people to bail out Freedom 250,” Merkley wrote.