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Donald Trump drove laps of the Daytona International Speedway track in his presidential limo “The Beast” on Sunday, as the 2025 NASCAR season began in Florida.
The president arrived for world-famous Daytona 500 race just before the green flag, and will return to Mar-a-Lago this afternoon. In 2020, he acted as grand marshal, waving the flag to start the race.
It comes after Trump raised eyebrows on Saturday after he appeared to be make reference to the dictatorial Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in an online post. “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” the president wrote on Truth Social, a quote which is often attributed to the European conquerer.
Several of Trump’s early executive orders and budget-slashing with Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency have been called into court by a string of lawsuits.
The pair are reportedly planning to accelerate their purge of America’s federal bureaucracy, with thousands of federal works laid off in the past week, including more than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration – which oversees the U.S. nuclear weapon stockpile.
NBC later reported that the NNSA was struggling the staffers because it did not have new contact information for them.
Another angle: Trump on the track
In pictures: Trump meets drivers at Daytona 500
Trump gives pre-race interview
Watch: Trump does laps in presidential limo at Daytona International Speedway
Who is in Trump’s entourage for the Daytona 500
Joining the president in Florida for the Daytona 500 are:
- Eric Trump
- Luke Trump
- Sec. Sean Duffy
- John Paul Duffy
- Patrick Duffy
- Sec. Doug Burgum
- Kathryn Burgum
- Sen. Todd Young
- Sen. Ashley Moody
- Rep. Jason Smith
- Rep. Byron Donalds
- Rep. Mike Haridopolos
Trump sends ‘presidential message’ ahead of Daytona 500
Ahead of Sunday’s Daytona 500, Donald Trump released a statement in which he hailed the iconic race as “bringing together people from all walks of life.”
“Today, I look forward to joining tens of thousands of American Patriots in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the ‘Great American Race’ – the legendary Daytona 500 – and the official start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series,” he said.
“This iconic race showcases the fastest, most fearless drivers in motorsports, who represent our Nation’s love of tradition, competition, and automotive innovation.
“When the engines start or the checkered flag waves, and all 500 thrilling miles in between, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Guardians stand ready to defend cherished traditions like this—and for that, we are truly thankful.
“Melania and I send our best wishes for a safe and successful race. May God bless our Armed Forces, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.”
When is the Daytona 500?
Donald Trump is currently making his way across Florida for the start of the Daytona 500, marking the start of the 2025 NASCAR season.
Sunday’s race at the Daytona International Speedway will begin at 1.30 p.m., and is being broadcast on Fox.
According to the president’s schedule, provided by the White House, Trump is supposed to arrive at around 1.10 p.m. to see the Green Flag.
He will leave around two hours later at 3.05 p.m., according to his schedule.
In 2020, Trump started the race, serving as the grand marshal. The presidential limo also joined the other pace cars and safety vehicles on the track and led the 40-car field through a pre-race lap.
Before becoming president, Trump made at least three other appearances at Daytona 500 – in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Officials struggling to contact nuclear safety staff who were mistakenly fired
The National Nuclear Security Administration is reportedly struggling to rehire hundreds of staff members that were mistakenly fired because it does not have contact information for them.
The U.S. nuclear watchdog has been attempting to notify some employees who had been let go that they are now due to be reinstated but do not have new contact information.
NBC reported that an email sent to employees at the NNSA on Friday, officials wrote: “The termination letters for some NNSA probationary employees are being rescinded, but we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel.”
The individuals were among around 300 who had been fired on Thursday and lost access to their federal government email accounts.
New York governor under pressure to fire Eric Adams after ‘quid pro quo’ with Trump over criminal charges
Pressure is growing on New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office after an alleged “quid pro quo” with Donald Trump’s administration to drop charges against him in exchange for political allegiance.
From our team in New York:
Musk just can’t stay off X
Elon Musk’s claim that he would be “offline until Monday” to hone an update to his AI feature “Grok” was short lived.
After announcing the release of Grok 3 with live demo on Monday night at 8pm PT, Musk wrote: “Will be honing product with the team all weekend, so offline until then.”
However, less than 12 hours later, he returned, writing: “Grok 3 is so based,” and sharing a screenshot of the AI blasting the “legacy media.”
Source: independent.co.uk
