WASHINGTON (Reuters) – United States President Donald Trump on Monday criticized NASCAR’s confederate flag ban on his events and assaulted black car driver Bubba Wallace’s response to a knot found in his garage, one incident which the Republican President referred to as a “hoax”.
Trump’s comments, sent in a tweet, were the latest in a series of incendiary statements related to race, which has become a major political issue ahead of the Nov. 3 elections amid nationwide protests over the civil rights and racial inequality.
NASCAR has said that its investigation did not determine who placed the rope in Wallace’s garage, and the FBI found that it was placed there in 2019, before Wallace was assigned to use the position. Investigators concluded that no federal crime was committed.
After the discovery of the rope, Wallace, the only black driver competing in the Cup Series, received a great deal of support from other drivers, who pushed him and his car at the start of the June 22 race in the Alabama Talladega Super High.
“@BubbaWallace apologized to all those great NASCAR drivers and officials who came to his aid, stood by him and were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to discover that it was all just another HOAX? That Flag decision has caused the lowest ratings EVER! Trump tweeted on Monday.
NASCAR said Monday that “it continues to be steadfast with Bubba, our competitors, and everyone who makes our sport welcoming and inclusive to all racing fans.”
Last month, the organization banned the Confederate flag from its tracks and facilities as the country grappled with the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis police custody, sparking protests worldwide.
“LOVE ABOUT HATE”, SAYS WALLACE
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said Trump was in no way taking a position on NASCAR’s decision on the flag.
The president, who has long courted NASCAR fans and whose campaign sponsors a NASCAR team, has fueled racial divisions as part of his reelection campaign, criticizing the desecration and removal of statues of Confederates and other former leaders. Americans to energize their political base. .
McEnany defended Trump’s call for an apology from Wallace.
“The FBI … concluded that this was not a hate crime and believes it would be very helpful if Bubba appeared and recognized him as well,” he told reporters at the White House.
Wallace, a vocal advocate for Black Lives Matter who had long lobbied to ban the Confederate flag, has not backed away from the problem, saying that if the rope was directed at him or someone else, it was still a symbol of hate linked to lynching. and The History of Slavery in the United States.
On Twitter, Wallace posted a message for young fans urging them to respond to hate with love: “Love about hate every day. Love should come naturally, since people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE of POTUS, ”he wrote, using an abbreviation for President of the United States.
NASCAR conducted its own investigation, publishing a photograph of the rope, but was unable to determine who was behind it. She said that the rope was used as a folding garage door.
Regarding Trump’s comments on NASCAR’s ratings, Erik Arneson, vice president of media relations for FOX Sports, said that despite an unusual schedule caused by the coronavirus, the audience increased 8% this year compared to races. equivalents in 2019, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Reports by Jeff Mason and Susan Heavey in Washington; Steve Keating reported from Toronto; Editing by Andrea Ricci, Chris Reese and Howard Goller
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