President Donald Trump is taking aim at NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace amid national headlines over the noose controversy at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.
On Monday morning, the president asked if Bubba Wallace had issued a statement of apology to all who supported him. The series events unfolded after the death of George Floyd.
Trump went on to slam NASCAR for its decision to ban the Confederate flag as he insisted the controversial decision has caused ratings to decline.
“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
Trump’s tweet comes weeks after reports on the noose-shaped pull-down rope that was found in Wallace’s stall. The rope was reported not long after NASCAR’s decision not to ban the Confederate flag.
Due to the timing of the incident, there was immediate speculation that the noose’s existence was racially motivated. The incident was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
That investigation confirmed that while the rope was, in fact, a noose, it had actually been in the stall for several months and posed no threat directly targeting Wallace.
Jeff Gluck, who reports on NASCAR, responded to the president’s tweet in an effort to correct multiple claims he made. Gluck confirmed that the noose was real and not a hoax as the president insisted. He also said that there are no reports to suggest ratings were impacted by the decision to ban the Confederate flag.
“Mr. President, your premise is false,” Gluck said, adding, “1) It wasn’t a ‘hoax.’ Everyone involved truly believed it was threat directed at Wallace. And Wallace didn’t report it; he was informed about it. 2) There hasn’t been any noticeable impact on the ratings, which are not the lowest ever.”
Mr. President, your premise is false.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 6, 2020
1) It wasn't a "hoax." Everyone involved truly believed it was threat directed at Wallace. And Wallace didn't report it; he was informed about it.
2) There hasn't been any noticeable impact on the ratings, which are not the lowest ever.
Wallace has also shared his reaction on multiple occasions. After the investigation, Wallace noted his concerns about the possibility of his integrity being questioned.
"I'm pissed. I'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity." – NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace on social media reaction to the conclusion of the FBI investigation into the noose found in his team's garage https://t.co/YH4ynYqv64 pic.twitter.com/fB0m9Yj9FD
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) June 24, 2020
“I’m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity,” Wallace said, later adding, “Whether tied in 2019, or whatever, it was a noose.”