Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A number of Donald Trump critics have attacked the president for attending Sunday’s Daytona 500 race as parts of the U.S. are hit by floods.Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside of regular working hours.Why It MattersNASCAR has traditionally been associated with a largely conservative fan base, meaning the president would be unlikely to face in-person criticism for attending the Daytona 500 race as he would online.Responses to a natural disaster are frequently used and an opportunity to praise or condemn the performance of a president.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by his granddaughter Carolina Trump, greets attendees prior to the Daytona 500 Nascar race in Florida, on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by his granddaughter Carolina Trump, greets attendees prior to the Daytona 500 Nascar race in Florida, on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
AL DRAGO/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
What to KnowTrump attended the Daytona 500 for the second time as president on Sunday.Air Force One flew over Daytona International Speedway, with video posted on social media by the White House showing Trump receiving cheers from the Florida crowd.The president also received a positive reaction from the crowd as he appeared on screen during the singing of the national anthem.Prior to the race, Trump led the drivers on two ceremonial laps of the track in his limousine. He also spoke on the radio to drivers, referring to himself as their “favorite president” and urging them to be safe.Critics accused Trump of wasting taxpayer money during a period of major federal spending cuts and prioritizing a “stunt” over responding to natural disasters in the Southeast.The Republicans Against Trump social media account said the president “chose to waste millions of taxpayer dollars” attending the Daytona 500 while multiple Southeastern states were affected by major flooding and storms.Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at least nine people had died as a result of the flooding in the state. Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina also received numerous flash flood warnings over the weekend.On Sunday, Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration in Kentucky allowing federal funds to be available for affected areas.Democratic influencer Harry Sisson asked, “Where is DOGE?” while sharing a video of Trump being driven around the track in his limousine, referencing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.Musk and Trump have been launched a wide-ranging plan, dismantling federal departments and making mass layoffs as part of their government cost-cutting strategy overseen by DOGE.Trump became the first sitting president to appear at a Super Bowl when he attended the game in which the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.Trump also appeared at the Daytona 500 in 2020 while seeking reelection.William Byron won his second straight Daytona 500 after taking advantage of a crash on the final lap.What People Are SayingThe Republicans Against Trump social media account posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Donald Trump chose to waste millions of taxpayer dollars spending the afternoon at the Daytona 500—while multiple states are devastated by severe flooding, and over 10 people are reportedly dead. Absolutely sickening.”Democrat Harry Sisson posted on X: “Donald Trump is at the Daytona 500 today and took a lap around the track in his motorcade. WHERE IS DOGE? This cost millions to do. Where is the cutting of wasteful spending????? First the Super Bowl and now this??”Liberal-leaning news outlet MeidasTouch posted on X: “Glad Trump had the chance to waste millions of taxpayer dollars to fly over the Daytona 500 and then ride The Beast on the track as parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee are underwater. Priorities.”Chris D. Jackson, a Tennessee Democrat, posted on X: “Sick Deadly storms just tore through the Southeast, leaving devastation and death in their wake—yet Donald Trump is wasting MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to take a joyride around the Daytona 500 for a cheap photo op. Imagine if Biden or Obama pulled this stunt. The outrage would be deafening. But because it’s Trump? Crickets. Absolutely shameful.”Conservative-leaning journalist Nick Sortor wrote on X: “President Trump and his granddaughter Carolina wave to fans at the Daytona 500 as The Beast does hot laps around the track. TRULY the People’s President. I can’t say that enough.”Right-wing political commentator Rogan O’Handley posted on X: “Trump now doing laps at Daytona 500. He is having a lot more fun than his 1st term. He knows he’s crushing it.”What Happens NextThe National Weather Service said flood warnings remain in place across multiple states, including Kentucky and Tennessee, through Monday evening.
