Few figures in Washington seem less amused by President Trump’s made-for-TV moments than Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) may be in the running, but Schiff is certainly near the top of the list.
Schiff has been openly critical of Trump’s push to reshape the capital’s image, as well as the president’s embrace of large-scale patriotic spectacles tied to America 250, including the UFC Freedom 250 celebration and the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade, both held in June.
So it was hardly surprising that Schiff took issue when Trump waved the green start flag at an IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, an event the president had helped bring together. Before the drivers took off, Trump’s official vehicle, the Beast, circled the track as part of a large presidential motorcade.
For Schiff, the moment was less about racing and more about what he called another costly distraction.
While you struggle with the cost of gas, Trump offers you the spectacle of an IndyCar race hoping you will not notice.
More taxpayer money spent on his self-aggrandizing distractions.
And you get higher taxes and higher costs. pic.twitter.com/gYca1FDqJh
— Senator Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) August 23, 2026
Schiff’s post quickly drew a rebuttal from IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, the son of racing great and motorsports executive Bobby Rahal. Rahal pointed out that Penske Corporation covered nearly the entire cost of the event, with the exception of security expenses.
Oops:
No, no, Adam. He wanted you to notice and bask in the pride of being AMERICAN, watch great racing and patriotism on display. Not only that, this was privately funded, not government although it drove thousands of folks to the DC area that have never been (that’s economic impact… https://t.co/MHgRm5DOvt
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) August 24, 2026
No, no, Adam. He wanted you to notice and bask in the pride of being AMERICAN, watch great racing and patriotism on display. Not only that, this was privately funded, not government although it drove thousands of folks to the DC area that have never been (that’s economic impact for you). It allowed folks who have never been to see museums, monuments, the White House and AMERICAN history for the first time as well. And guess what, hundreds of thousands of AMERICANS, blue & red, as well as fans from all over the world loved the #Freedom250! 🇺🇸
Point, set, and match: Rahal.
MORE: Trump Rings in the Spectacular Freedom 250 Grand Prix Race Through D.C.
Adam Schiff Tries to Embarrass AG Nominee Todd Blanche, but It Wasn’t a Fair Fight
The internet wasn’t kind to Schiff, either:
What kind of loser posts this? People had fun https://t.co/WCb4P37QbS
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) August 24, 2026
The White House predictably and fairly savaged the Shifty One for getting his facts wrong, something he’s been doing since at least 2017 when he started endlessly babbling about imaginary Russia collusion.
“It’s a complete disgrace that Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff is willing to trash the United States of America during its historic 250th birthday celebrations simply because he hates President Trump,” said White House spokesman Davis Ingle.
“The great people of California deserve better,” Ingle said.
Personally, I find this whole epic faceplant quite satisfying.
Bonus coverage: Watch Graham Rahal in action Sunday. He led the race at one point but ended up in a respectable 13th place. Man, these guys go fast:
2026 Washington DC – Rahal Avoids Crash
Graham Rahal was one of the first onto the crash scene for the Malukas-Robb yellow. You can get a better understanding of what drivers saw once yellow flags were displayed (Robb didn’t have this due to his proximity to Malukas)#INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/reQvnyBLGm
— Hickey (@Hickey93) August 24, 2026
Editor’s note: this piece was edited for clarity post-publication.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting exposing the radical left and woke media? Support our work so we can keep bringing you the truth.
