President Donald Trump waves the green flag to start the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race held on the streets of Washington, D.C. to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. The event drew approximately 140,000 spectators to the capital. During the ceremony, President Donald Trump was presented with a green flag by Medal of Honor recipients and brandished it to signal the start of the race. The gesture became a viral sensation on social media, drawing both praise and mockery. While some supporters celebrated the presidency's involvement, critics and rioters online mocked the president's specific technique, with some suggesting a white flag might have been more appropriate given the ongoing conflict with Iran. President Donald Trump noted that the event was decades in the making, stating that the organizers had been trying to achieve it for 20 years. He also praised the weather conditions, noting that despite predictions of rain, the day remained clear and beautiful for the spectacle.