Sen.Adam Schiff’s latest attack on President Donald Trump was challenged by an IndyCar veteran who pushed back on the California Democrat's charge that the commander-in-chief was wasting taxpayer funds for his own "self-aggrandizing."Schiff criticized Trump for ordering the Washington race by executive order and accused the president of using the motorsports "spectacle" to distract Americans from higher costs and policy failures."While you struggle with the cost of gas, Trump offers you the spectacle of an IndyCar race hoping you will not notice," Schiff said Sunday.START YOUR ENGINES: HERE IS YOUR CRASH COURSE ON THE INDYCAR FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX WEEKENDSen.
Adam Schiff sits in a hearing, left; President Donald Trump commences the Freedom250, right.(Al Drago/Getty Images; Getty Images)"More taxpayer money spent on his self-aggrandizing distractions.
And you get higher taxes and higher costs," he added, although major automotive firm Penske said it bankrolled the event.Schiff posted the criticism on X alongside video of Trump waving the green flag as FOX Sports announcer Leigh Diffey got the race underway.PRESIDENT TRUMP REPORTEDLY WILL GO ON A LAP OF HONOR AROUND THE FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX STREET CIRCUITBobby Rahall, left; Graham Rahall, right.(Finn Gomez/Getty Images)Race fans and other critics lambasted Schiff’s comments, including IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, who reminded the California Democrat that the race was privately funded and argued it benefited government coffers because thousands of spectators traveled to Washington and spent money."No, no, Adam.
He wanted you to notice and bask in the pride of being American, watch great racing and patriotism on display," Rahal responded on X.DRIVERS JOSEF NEWGARDEN AND KYLE KIRKWOOD TALK INDYCAR'S 'ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME' FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIXPresident Donald Trump displayed a signed executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on Jan.30, 2026, in Washington, D.C., outlining plans to launch an IndyCar ...