Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Trump Waves Green Flag at Washington Freedom 250 Grand Prix
Donald Trump helped start a special car race in Washington.
He waved a green flag after riding once around the course.
The race celebrated the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Drivers raced 250 miles past famous places such as the National Mall.
Kyle Kirkwood won the race.
About 200,000 people were expected to watch, and general tickets were free.
Some officials and organizers supported the unusual event, while critics objected to the disruption and the original plan for the course.
Air traffic at a nearby airport stopped for three hours so military aircraft could fly over the race.
Donald Trump waved the green flag to start the 250-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington.
Kyle Kirkwood won the IndyCar race, while Will Power and Marcus Ericsson finished third and fourth.
The course passed the National Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue, and the National Archives.
Officials expected roughly 200,000 spectators, while private trackside club passes cost $5,000.
Ronald Reagan National Airport paused air traffic for three hours to accommodate military flyovers.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump started the race, and Florida native Kyle Kirkwood won it.
- What
- The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a 250-mile IndyCar race, was held through Washington’s streets.
- When
- The race took place on a Sunday, starting at about 1:18 p.m. local time.
- Where
- The course passed Washington’s National Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue, and the National Archives.
- Why
- The race was staged as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Supporters and race organizers
Critics and opponents
Unusual Washington venue
Supporters and race organizers
Drivers and organizers presented the course as an extraordinary setting, with landmarks including the U.S. Capitol and Smithsonian museums serving as a backdrop.
Critics and opponents
The administration faced criticism over the event, and the original proposal to run the track through the grounds of the U.S. Capitol stalled because congressional approval was required.
Public disruption
Supporters and race organizers
Officials maintained that the city’s roads would not need much refurbishment before or after the race, and the event offered free tickets to spectators.
Critics and opponents
Air traffic at Ronald Reagan National Airport was paused for three hours to accommodate military flyovers, adding disruption around the event.
- Race winner
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Race distance
- 250 miles (402 kilometers)
- Expected spectators
- Roughly 200,000
- General admission
- Free tickets
- Private trackside clubs
- $5,000 passes
- Top speed
- Expected to reach 185 miles per hour (298 kilometers per hour) on Pennsylvania Avenue
- Airport disruption
- Ronald Reagan National Airport paused air traffic for three hours