Washington Post reveals it passed on Samuel Alito upside-down flag story after confrontation with justice’s wife

The Washington Post revealed on Saturday that the outlet initially passed on the Samuel Alito flag story in 2021 after its former Supreme Court reporter had a confrontation over it with the justice’s wife.

“The Post decided not to report on the episode at the time because the flag-raising appeared to be the work of Martha-Ann Alito, rather than the justice, and connected to a dispute with her neighbors,” the Washington Post report said, citing a spokesperson for the paper. “It was not clear then that the argument was rooted in politics.”

Former Washington Post Supreme Court reporter Robert Barnes went to the Alitos’ home in 2021 after receiving a tip on the flag. According to the outlet, Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, shouted, “It’s an international signal of distress” after being probed by the reporter on the flag. 

An upside-down American flag, a symbol used by the former president’s supporters who falsely claim President Biden did not win the 2020 election, was seen flying at Alito’s home in the weeks following the Jan. 6 riot, The New York Times first reported last week. 

Alito previously told Fox News that his wife was the one who hung the flag in response to insults from a neighbor. 

Cameron Barr, the former senior managing editor, took responsibility for not running the story at the time, according to Semafor.