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Trump's Freedom 250 Grand Prix to take over National Mall 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., as part of President Trump's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Photos show grandstands, finish lines, and corporate signage being erected near the U.S. Capitol, transforming the normally tourist-filled area into a racetrack. The article notes that the National Mall has suffered damage during Trump's second term, including a botched renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and a poorly attended Great American State Fair. The author expresses skepticism about the event, questioning potential damage to national landmarks and contrasting it with how it might be viewed under a different president.
Source report
The upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix is turning the National Mall into what critics 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 U.S. Capitol are an unusual sight, but President Trump has chosen this approach 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 National Mall has endured significant changes during Trump's second term, including:
- A heavily botched renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
- The sparsely attended Great American State Fair
- Damage to the grass from Independence Day celebrations, for which Trump blamed nonexistent vandals—similar to the reflecting 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.