Camping World CEO Clashes With Government Flag Policies

Marcus Lemonis stands defiant as Camping World’s large American flags face legal scrutiny, leading to store closures and flag battles across multiple states.

Quick Takes

Camping World closed its Greenville, NC store due to disputes over large American flags.
CEO Marcus Lemonis faces legal action but refuses to remove the flags.
Flags exceeded city code limits, resulting in fines and lawsuits.
Lemonis argues the ordinances infringe on his patriotic expressions.

Legal Tensions in Greenville

Camping World, led by CEO Marcus Lemonis, recently closed one of its two Greenville stores, intensifying a legal battle over the display of massive American flags. The controversy erupted when the city council deemed the flags too large, voting to hire legal counsel to enforce size restrictions. Lemonis, unwavering in his stance, refuses compliance, viewing these flags as symbols of his patriotic passion, directly rooted in his immigrant journey from Lebanon.

The flags in question measure 3200 square feet, with 130-foot poles, surpassing local regulations. City officials fined the company, prompting Lemonis to defend his position, emphasizing a disagreement with perceived regulatory overreach. Lemonis agreed to a proposed $50,000 donation to Maynard Children’s Hospital, albeit not as a direct quid pro quo for changing ordinances.

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis said he closed one of his locations in North Carolina rather than take down a giant American flag. https://t.co/BstgMkDKXs

— ABC7 Sarasota (@mysuncoast) April 23, 2025

Support and Criticism Emerging

The legal battle extends beyond North Carolina. In Sevierville, Tennessee, Camping World faces similar scrutiny with local authorities pressing lawsuits for non-compliant flagpoles. Evangelist Franklin Graham expressed public support for Lemonis, advocating for code exceptions for patriotic displays, while city officials insist actions aren’t anti-flag but a matter of lawful compliance.

“This has never been about removing an American flag or the type of flag. It is about bringing the flag into compliance with city code,” Greenville Communications Manager Brock Letchworth said.

Lemonis remains firm, declaring, “Not when they sue, not when I lose, not if they take me to jail, the flag is not coming down.” His dedication reflects a broader debate about municipal authority versus personal expressions of patriotism, specifically when those expressions involve expansive, visible symbols like large flags.

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis said he closed one of his locations in North Carolina rather than take down a giant American flag. https://t.co/BstgMkDKXs

— ABC7 Sarasota (@mysuncoast) April 23, 2025

The Broader Implications

The clash between Lemonis and local governments highlights the tension between regulations and individual freedoms. While city codes exist to maintain safety and aesthetics, for Lemonis and his supporters, these flags transcend decoration, representing an immigrant’s gratitude and love for his adopted home. As legal proceedings unfold, Lemonis’ story garners attention both as a corporate dispute and a patriotic statement, underscoring a complex, national conversation.

Lemonis consolidating two dealerships in Greenville and his ongoing defense of these flags signal a broader strategy of prioritizing symbolism over compliance, challenging municipal authorities during what he sees as a patriotic duty to showcase the flag in grand, unapologetic fashion.