Silver Slipper Pushes Back On Viral Flag Controversy As Questions Remain Over Trump Displays

Silver Slipper Pushes Back On Viral Flag Controversy As Questions Remain Over Trump Displays

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. — A controversy surrounding Silver Slipper Casino Hotel erupted on social media Thursday after allegations surfaced that management removed American flags and instructed participants at a car show to remove Trump-related displays.

Silver Slipper has pushed back strongly against the allegations, saying the American flag was never removed and that the casino has a longstanding policy prohibiting political flags on its property.

The controversy began after a Facebook post asked whether a Silver Slipper manager had removed American flags from the casino and told people associated with a car show to remove anything displaying support for President Donald Trump.

The post quickly gained attention, drawing more than 100 comments and calls from some users to boycott the casino.

Silver Slipper Casino Hotel responded publicly to the controversy.

“We’d like to clear up some confusion regarding this post,” the casino wrote. “The American flag has not been removed from Silver Slipper Casino Hotel and will continue to proudly fly at our property.”

The casino went on to address political flags.

“Silver Slipper has always had a policy asking that political flags not be displayed on property,” the casino stated. “This is not a new policy, nor is it specific to any candidate, party, or political viewpoint.”

The casino said the policy is intended to maintain a welcoming and politically neutral environment for its guests.

Les Sackett, who publicly identified himself as the Events and Promotions Manager at Silver Slipper Casino, also responded to the allegations.

“This rumor is completely false. Not a shred of truth in it,” Sackett wrote, adding that the casino proudly flies the American flag every day. He also posted a photograph showing an American flag flying outside the casino.

However, the casino’s response creates a distinction between the two allegations at the center of the controversy.

Silver Slipper specifically denied that the American flag was removed.

Its statement regarding political flags, meanwhile, confirmed that the casino does have a policy against displaying them on the property.

What the casino’s public response did not specifically address was whether participants at the recent car show were actually instructed to remove Trump flags or other Trump-related displays under that policy.

At least one commenter said he overheard several people at the casino discussing the situation and expressing frustration over what had occurred.

Other commenters questioned the casino’s policy, while some defended the business and accused those spreading the original allegations of circulating false information.

The Rabbit Hole News contacted Silver Slipper Casino Hotel directly Thursday seeking clarification about what occurred during the car show.

A representative said someone would return the call. The Rabbit Hole News had not received that callback as of publication.

That leaves one major question at the center of the controversy:

Were car show participants instructed to remove Trump-related flags, signs or displays?

Silver Slipper has confirmed that it prohibits political flags and says that policy applies regardless of candidate, political party or viewpoint. But its public response did not specifically state whether that policy was enforced against Trump-related displays during the event in question.

Meanwhile, the casino maintains that allegations concerning the removal of the American flag are false and says the flag continues to fly prominently at the property.

The Rabbit Hole News will update this story if Silver Slipper responds to our request for additional information or if individuals directly involved in the car show come forward with additional details.