Trump is ridiculed over footage of him waving to NASCAR crowd

By Stephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com

07:22 27 May 2024, updated 14:25 27 May 2024

Donald Trump has been ridiculed by liberals over a video of him waving at NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 but was largely embraced by the crowd at the race Sunday 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 after sending the crowd wild by flying over the track.  

However, some liberals have jumped on footage to mock the Republican frontrunner, claiming he was waving at no one in one clip.

The Pro-Biden account on X even claimed that Trump was ‘waving at a non-existent audience’ in an attempt to ‘stage the moment.’ 

Former attorney and media personality Ron Filipkowski wrote: ‘Trump pulls up to the NASCAR race today and acts like the crowd is cheering for him so his propaganda film crew can do a nice edit later.’ 

Actress Ellen Barkin even referred to Trump as a ‘pathetic loser’ in a quote-tweet of the clip.

But after that moment and a rocky reception at the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday night, the former president was greeted by chants of ‘USA! USA! USA’ by the fans at the track and was seen embracing NASCAR legend Richard Petty. 

In several clips posted of Trump taking a walk down pit lane, onlookers can be heard yelling ‘make America great again!’ and ‘you’re our man, Trump’ as the former president pumped his fists.

The president later was seen beaming while watching a military fly-over that took place ahead of the race.  

Trump was then seen taking in several views of the Coca-Cola 600, everywhere from a special box at pit road, to the more traditional suite seating, to even the track’s rooftop, wearing headphones to cancel out the noise of the race.

The former president was briefly the guest of car owner Richard Childress atop the pit box for 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 dating back to 2016 and was seen sharing a laugh with the president as they embraced.

Earlier in the day, he caused excitement and some derision from liberals when Trump Force One jetted over ahead of Sunday’s event. 

Christopher Bell won the rain-shortened race, which traditionally is held as a nightcap to the famous Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day Weekend.

NASCAR has frequently been a major supporter of the president dating back to his first run in 2016, with Trump and wife Melania occasionally showing up at races throughout his presidency.

NASCAR CEO Brian France endorsed Trump during the 2016 campaign. 

Trump praised the racing circuit in 2017, saying he was proud of the drivers in contrast to National Football League players like Colin Kaepernick who kneeled 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 they do indeed stand for the playing of the National Anthem. They do indeed,’ the president said.

‘Somebody said ‘maybe you shouldn’t say that, it’ll be controversial’ and I said ‘that’s okay, NASCAR’s not going to mind it at all.’ Right fellas? They don’t mind it at all,’ Trump added.

Driver Cory LaJoie even showed off a ‘Trump 2020’ car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2020 Brickyard 400. 

It was significantly better optics for Trump after he was frequently booed at the Libertarian convention speech Saturday. 

When he took the stage, many jeered while some supporters clad in ‘Make America Great’ hats and T-shirts cheered and chanted ‘USA! USA!’

It was a rare moment of Trump coming face-to-face with open detractors, which is highly unusual for someone accustomed to staging rallies in front of ever-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 make light of that by referring to the four criminal indictments against him and joking: ‘If I wasn’t a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now.’