Trump's first Grand Prix DC race draws instant ridicule: 'Clowns need attention'

President Donald Trump's IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., drew early criticism and mockery as cars were still making their first laps.

On Saturday, drivers started doing practice, qualifying, and other preliminary races for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, which Trump touted as D.C.'s first-ever IndyCar race. The marquee race, which Trump is expected to attend, will start on Sunday, but the negative reviews started coming in as the drivers raced on bumpy roads, and critics called out the administration for organizing the unsolicited event.

"Turning the National Mall into a race track for the Freedom 250 is a reckless spectacle that puts public spaces at risk because clowns need attention," blasted speaker and advocate Khary Penebaker.

Progressive political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen lamented, "They'll give us literally anything other than healthcare."

"Anyone who has ridden a bicycle in Washington, DC, could tell you this is a terrible idea," activist Alex Palombo wrote in response to a post by NASCAR racer and GOP congressional candidate Jerrod Sessler that noted the "VERY bumpy" track.

"No one in DC is happy about this," journalist Aaron Parnas added.

"August 2026. The streets are now a racetrack," lamented veteran and political commentator Mike Nelson.

Reacting to a post touting the event, Topher Spiro, a senior fellow at American Progress, asked, "Why do you think DC residents want anything to do with this? How much did this promotion cost?"

Reacting to a video from the track, author Erin Page joked, "I have genuinely driven faster through DC, come on now."

"This is any driver from the DMV area," writer Ashley Reese agreed.

"Now just add some MD drivers for the full DC experience," added writer Joe Flood.

Pollster Jake Rubenstein noted that the event is "not packed. But all the people seeing the actual track are blocked by the trees."