It’s not looking like President Donald Trump will be at the 109th Indianapolis 500.
There was a possibility of Trump attending the historic IndyCar race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after receiving an invitation to do so. On April 9, Team Penske took a trip to the White House to celebrate its recent string of success in NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA. Team Penske owner Roger Penske is also the owner of IMS and the NTT IndyCar Series and is a friend of Trump.
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During the visit, Trump applauded Penske for the racetrack’s recent renovations since he took ownership of it in 2019. Trump said “I might have to get there this year” for the Indy 500, to which Penske replied “you have an open invitation,” opening the possibility of the president attending the event.
President Donald Trump at the 2020 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Is Donald Trump going to 2025 Indy 500?
Trump will not be at the Indy 500.
The decision for Trump not to be in attendance was first reported by Politico’s Adam Wren. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, the racetrack was of the same understanding of the decision.
Has POTUS ever attended Indy 500?
No sitting President of the United States has ever attended the Indianapolis 500.
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While no president has ever been in office and been at IMS, several of them attended the event after their time in the White House. Gerald Ford was the first former president to attend when he was at the track in 1979. In 2003, former President George H.W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton both attended on race day.
On the other hand, presidents have been at race day prior to their election. Harry Truman attended the Indy 500 in the late 1930s before he was elected, and Trump actually attended the 2002 edition of the race.
In 2011, Trump was named the pace car driver for the 100th Indy 500, but it came during controversial statements he made regarding then-President Barack Obama’s citizenship and his possible run in the 2012 election. After backlash of Trump’s selection for the centennial edition of the race, Trump backed out of his position and was replaced by four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Donald Trump attend 2025 Indy 500? President unlikey for race