President Donald Trump is rumored to attend this year’s Daytona 500 on February 16. If he does, it will be to watch Bubba Wallace, a driver with whom he has had a contentious history. Wallace, who drives the McDonald’s car for Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team 23XI Racing, was involved in a public feud with Trump in 2020. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, Wallace criticized Trump on social media for promoting hate. In response, Trump attacked Wallace online, particularly regarding Wallace’s call for a ban on Confederate flags at races and his claims about a noose found in his garage, which Trump labeled a “hoax.” An FBI investigation later revealed that the noose had been in the garage stall since October 2019, and no crime had occurred.
Later that year, Wallace claimed he was told he was “bringing politics into NASCAR” after condemning Trump. However, in 2024, Wallace has refrained from making political posts. He previously explained to media that he felt it was a waste of time to engage in such discussions, stating, “I was definitely more vocal then because our sport was in desperate need of change.” Now, with Trump’s potential attendance at the Daytona 500, Wallace expressed indifference, saying he “couldn’t care less” if Trump shows up. “We’re here to race. Not for the show,” he added.
This response aligns with Wallace’s recent approach to politics, as he no longer shares political content on social media. His current posts consist mainly of racing photos, promotional content, and family pictures. One significant reason for Wallace’s shift away from political commentary is the pervasive negativity on social media platforms. He noted that social media has become a space where people hide behind screens to express uninformed opinions, leading to an overwhelming amount of negativity that he believes will take years to overcome.
