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Trump's Freedom 250 Grand Prix to be held on National Mall, first auto race in Washington D.C.
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The article reports on the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race set to take place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Photos show grandstands, finish lines, and corporate signage near the U.S. Capitol, with streets closed to normal traffic. The article notes this is the first auto race in the nation's capital, but expresses skepticism about President Trump's handling of the event, citing past controversies such as a botched renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a poorly attended Great American State Fair, and damage to the Mall's grass during Independence Day celebrations. The tone is critical, questioning potential damage to national landmarks.
Source report
The upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix is turning the National Mall into what many describe as a sideshow.
Photos of preparations for this weekend's IndyCar race reveal grandstands, finish lines, and signage installed across the nation's capital.
Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images
Corporate signage and bleachers near the Capitol building are an unusual sight, but that is how President Trump intends to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The roads surrounding the Mall are typically crowded with cars and tour buses this time of year as tourists visit national landmarks, museums, and monuments. Now, the streets appear eerily empty, occupied only by construction workers, vehicles, and barriers that will transform the area into a racetrack.
Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images
The Mall has endured significant changes during Trump's second term, including the heavily botched renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the sparsely attended Great American State Fair. Trump damaged the grass during his Independence Day celebrations and blamed nonexistent vandals for the destruction, mirroring the pool disaster.
Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Now, the capital of the United States is set to host its first-ever auto race. Under any other president, this might be considered exciting. However, the public is now questioning not only how the event might go wrong but also the potential damage to important national landmarks.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
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Source
The New RepublicWestern
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Trump's Freedom 250 IndyCar Race on National Mall in D.C.