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President Donald Trump’s MAGA inner circle — including his son Eric and his close aide Natalie Harp — gathered in the heart of Washington Sunday to watch a first-of-its-kind IndyCar race roar to life around the capitol.
Trump waved the green flag to start the 147-lap race shortly after 1 p.m. He was cheered on by First Lady Melania Trump — a rare public outing for the couple, which also saw them drive the circuit in the presidential motorcade.
Other MAGA allies, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and House Speaker Mike Johnson, were spotted at the grid.
Harp, who has been the subject of intense public scrutiny over her close relationship with the president, was seen with his son, Eric.
The race is part of the official celebrations to mark America’s 250th Anniversary and turned out “much bigger than we ever thought possible,” Trump told Fox News earlier Sunday.
Some 25 drivers, including series champion Alex Palou and Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, are taking part in the race, which is 250 miles, with cars reaching speeds of 180mph.
The race caps off America’s 250 celebrations, which have also included a UFC cage match at the White House and a Great American State Fair in the capital.
‘It’s an inredible day,’ First Lady Melania Trump says of Freedom 250 Grand Prix
First Lady Melania Trump attended the Freedom 250 Grand Prix alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, on Sunday.
“It’s an incredible day,” she told Fox News. “I think everybody did an amazing job. D.C., IndyCar and Fox Corporation — and it is wonderful to have them here.”
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 19:45
David Malukas out after crashing into wall
David Malukas was removed from the race after taking a big hit from Sting Ray Robb and crashing into the wall.
The accident took place during the 36th lap, according to Fox Sports.
Malukas was evaluated at the medical center and released.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 19:18
Driver Kyle Kirkwood was in the lead, pacing ahead of series champion Alex Palou on lap 25.
Kirkwood held steady in first for the 25th lap, which took place just before 2 p.m. Eastern.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 19:01
Trump and Melania pictured alongside IndyCar drivers
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 18:59
Eric Trump seen chatting with Natalie Harp ahead of race
Video shared online showed President Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, chatting with the president’s close aide, Natalie Harp, ahead of the race.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 18:41
President Donald Trump waves green flag to start race
President Donald Trump waved the green flag to kick off the historic race just before 1:20 p.m. ET.
The flag was delivered to Trump by Medal of Honor recipients Command Sgt. Maj. Matt Williams and Col. Paris Davis.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 18:22
President and First Lady greet drivers
President Donald Trump. and First Lady Melania Trump were seen greeting drivers ahead of the IndyCar race Sunday.
(Getty)
(Getty)
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 17:56
Officials expect about 140,000 attendees at IndyCar race
Washington, D.C., officials say they expect approximately 140,000 spectators at the race.
The spectacle is set to begin just after 1 p.m. with President Donald Trump waving a green flag.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 17:50
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lap around the course in ‘The Beast’
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rode along the Freedom 250 track before the race Sunday.
The couple took a lap in “The Beast” before the race began.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 17:36
Trump says IndyCar had been trying to have race in D.C. for 20 years
President Donald Trump said that IndyCar owner Roger Penske had been trying to get a race in Washington, D.C., for over 20 years.
“Roger told me they’d been trying to do it for 20 years and — I think he said he was down 211 times — to try and get it done, but when he came to see Trump it got done in 15 minutes,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday.
“This turned out to be much bigger than we ever thought possible. They actually closed the bridges because so many people wanted to come,” he added.
Isabel Keane23 August 2026 17:35