Donald Trump received some ridicule from liberals for a video of him waving at NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, but he was largely embraced by the crowd at Sunday’s race in North Carolina.
The former president’s aide, Margo Martin, posted several videos of him arriving at Charlotte Motor Speedway after Trump Force One flew over the track.
Some liberals took advantage of the images to mock the Republican favorite, claiming that he did not greet anyone in a clip.
The Pro-Biden account on X even claimed that Trump was “waving to a non-existent audience” in an attempt to “stage the moment.”
Former lawyer and media personality Ron Filipkowski wrote: “Trump arrives at the NASCAR race today and acts like the crowd is cheering him on so his propaganda film crew can make a nice edit later.”
Actress Ellen Barkin even referred to Trump as a “pathetic loser” in a quote-tweet from the clip.
Donald Trump received some ridicule from liberals for a video of him saluting at NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, but he was widely welcomed by the crowd at Sunday’s prestigious race in North Carolina.
A pro-Biden account on X even claimed that Trump was “waving to a non-existent audience” in an attempt to “stage the moment.”
But after that moment and a rocky reception at the Libertarian Party’s National Convention on Saturday night, the former president was greeted with chants of ‘USA! USA! USA’ by fans at the track and he was seen hugging NASCAR legend Richard Petty.
In several released clips of Trump walking through pit lane, spectators can be heard shouting “make America great again!” and “you’re our man, Trump,” as the former president shook his fists.
The president was later seen smiling as he watched a military flyover that took place before the race.
Trump was then seen taking various views of the Coca-Cola 600, from a special box on pit road to the more traditional seats in the suite, and even the track’s rooftop, wearing headphones to cancel out the noise of the race. .
The former president was briefly a guest of the car’s owner, Richard Childress, in the pit of the No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon.
At one point, Trump shook hands and offered a hug to Richard Petty, also known as ‘the King’ of NASCAR.
Petty, a seven-time NASCAR champion, has supported Trump since 2016 and was seen laughing with the president as they hugged.
Trump was later seen causing great excitement as he walked around the track’s infield and pit lane.
Trump posed alongside former American racing driver Richard Petty (left) at the race.
Earlier in the day, he caused excitement and some ridicule among liberals when Trump Force One flew ahead of Sunday’s event.
Christopher Bell won the rain-shortened race, which is traditionally held as a cup before the famous Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend.
NASCAR has frequently been a major supporter of the president since his first race in 2016, and Trump and his wife Melania occasionally appeared at races during his presidency.
NASCAR CEO Brian France endorsed Trump during the 2016 campaign.
Trump praised the speedway in 2017 and said he was proud of the drivers, in contrast to National Football League players like Colin Kaepernick, who knelt for the national anthem before games.
He reiterated his stance when he welcomed NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and his team to the White House in 2018.
‘One thing I love about NASCAR is that they actually stand for the performance of the National Anthem. In fact, they do,” the president said.
“Someone said ‘maybe you shouldn’t say that, it’ll be controversial’ and I said ‘okay, NASCAR won’t care at all.'” Right, guys? “They don’t care at all,” Trump added.
President Donald Trump smiles as a military plane flies overhead while attending the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
Trump Force One flew over the runway that same day
Driver Cory LaJoie even showed off a ‘2020 Trump’ car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2020 Brickyard 400.
It was a significantly better optic for Trump after he was frequently booed at Saturday’s Libertarian convention speech.
When he took the stage, many booed him while some fans wearing caps and T-shirts that said “Make America Great” cheered and chanted “USA!” USA!’
It was a rare moment in which Trump came face to face with outspoken detractors, highly unusual for someone used to hosting rallies in front of always adoring crowds.
Libertarians, who prioritize small government and individual freedoms, are often skeptical of the 77-year-old, and his invitation to address the convention has divided the party.
Trump tried to downplay this by referring to the four criminal charges against him and joking: “If I wasn’t a libertarian before, I sure am one now.”
