Politics
Senator Adam Schiff criticizes Washington IndyCar race as event organizer notes private funding
Driver Graham Rahal and Penske Corporation executives pushed back on claims that President Donald Trump wasted taxpayer money on the D.C. event.
The short version
- Sen. Adam Schiff claimed President Donald Trump used taxpayer funds on an IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., to distract from economic issues.
- Driver Graham Rahal and Penske Corporation officials stated that the Freedom 250 race was privately funded by Penske.
- Security for the race was provided by local and federal law enforcement using federal major-event funding.
Key facts
- Sen. Adam Schiff criticized President Donald Trump's Freedom 250 IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., claiming it was a taxpayer-funded distraction from rising costs.[Fox News]
- Penske Corporation President Bud Denker confirmed his company financed the race, using sponsor revenue to help offset costs.[Fox News]
- Security and policing for the event were supported by local and federal law enforcement using existing federal funding for major events.[Fox News]
- IndyCar driver Graham Rahal publicly challenged Schiff's characterization, arguing the race was privately backed and generated tourism revenue for Washington.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The full total cost of security provided by government agencies relative to the private expenditure by Penske Corporation was not specified.[Fox News]