As the Daytona 500 approaches, rumors are swirling about former President Donald Trump possibly making an appearance at the race. While fans debate what it might mean for the event, Bubba Wallace isn’t giving it a second thought.
When asked about the possibility of Trump attending during media day, Wallace kept his response short and to the point:
“Couldn’t care less if Trump shows up at NASCAR’s biggest race of the year,” Wallace said. “We’re here to race. Not for the show.”
It’s a stark contrast to 2020 when Wallace and Trump were locked in a heated exchange over NASCAR’s push for change.
The Backstory: Bubba Wallace and Donald Trump’s Past Feud
The 2020 controversy surrounded Wallace after a noose-like rope appeared in his garage during a race at the Talladega Superspeedway where he drives the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota for 23XI Racing. An investigation by NASCAR together with the FBI found evidence that the rope had remained in place since the last fall.
Despite the ongoing controversy Trump continued to criticize Wallace through social media networks by labeling the situation as a “hoax” while questioning whether Wallace should apologize to NASCAR officials and drivers who backed him.
“Has Bubba Wallace 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?” Trump posted on X.
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Wallace responded with a message of unity and resilience:
“Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE!… Love should come naturally as people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Wallace is in a much different place. Over the past few years, he’s made a conscious decision to step away from political debates and put all his energy into his racing career and family.
“Investing my time into that seems like a waste of time,” Wallace said in 2024. “I was definitely more vocal then because our sport was in desperate need of change.”
Now a father, Wallace has shifted his focus to being the best driver and family man he can be. His social media feed, once a battleground for political discussions, is now filled with racing highlights, sponsor promotions, and family moments.
Will Donald Trump Attend the Daytona 500?
Trump, who attended the 2020 Daytona 500 as Grand Marshal, hasn’t confirmed if he’ll be at the race this year. However, an FAA notice suggests he might be making an appearance.
Regardless of whether Trump shows up, Wallace has made it clear he’s here to race, not to get caught up in the noise.
