Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says President Donald Trump should “celebrate” the fact that an investigation determined that a hate crime was not committed after a noose was found in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace’s garage.
On Monday morning, Trump took to Twitter to ask if Wallace apologized after the investigation as he called the incident a “hoax,” as IJR reported.
However, during an interview on Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade’s radio show,” Graham said, “I don’t think Bubba Wallace has anything to apologize for.
Graham continued to note that “in the times in which we live, there’s a lot of anxiety.”
“You saw the best in NASCAR. When there was a chance that it was a threat against Bubba Wallace, they all rallied to Bubba’s side. I would be looking to celebrate that kind of attitude more than being worried about it being a hoax,” he added.
Additionally, Graham defended NASCAR’s decision to ban Confederate flags at its events, “NASCAR is trying to grow the sport. And one way that you grow the sport is you take images that divide us and ask that they not be brought into the venue. That makes sense to me.”
Listen to the segment below: (1:30:30):
In a tweet, Trump asked on Monday, “Has [Bubba Wallace] apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, [and] were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That [and] Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!”
Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020
After the FBI determined that a hate crime was not committed, Wallace addressed allegations that the incident was a hoax.
“None of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down,” Wallace said, adding, “Will it piss me off? Absolutely.”
However, he said that it “only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up.”