President Donald Trump’s unusual technique for waving the starting flag at this weekend’s IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., drew mockery from Jim Acosta’s show on Monday after the moment went viral.
Trump appeared at the event Sunday and is seen in clips waving the green flag to start the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a first-of-its-kind IndyCar race through the streets of the nation’s capital celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
But Trump’s vigorous handling of the flag caught the attention of viewers - and provided some additional entertainment for the MAGA leader’s critics.
Tommy Christopher, senior content director for The Jim Acosta Show, highlighted the viral moment in Monday’s edition of the show’s daily newsletter.
“Trump appears to be trying to shake the green out of that thing as Melania Trump and Natalie Harp look on,” Christopher wrote.
“It’s arguably not the worst abuse he’s inflicted on a flag,” he added.
Video of the moment shows Trump enthusiastically shaking the green flag up and down from a viewing box as the race began. First lady Melania Trump is seen standing beside him, while Harp, Trump’s executive assistant, can be seen among others gathered for the event.
Trump had earlier taken a ceremonial lap around the course in the presidential limousine before officially starting the race.
Christopher, who suggested the president “took his frustrations out on the starting flag” after “getting clobbered by Canada” when trade negotiations blew up, summed up the moment on Monday: “Still better than getting hugged by Trump,” he wrote.
Trump really waved the flag like this. pic.twitter.com/K8LwuazHyG
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) August 23, 2026
