'It just gets worse every day': Trump faces trolling over his salute during 'Amazing Grace' at Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race opening ceremony

Donald Trump's civilian salute during the opening ceremony of the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race drew intense mockery, with many questioning his mental fitness
PUBLISHED MAY 27, 2024
Donald Trump saluted as a Christian hymn played at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race (Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Donald Trump saluted as a Christian hymn played at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA: Former President Donald Trump's peculiar behavior during the pre-race ceremony of the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race on Sunday, May 26, left many scratching their heads. 

As the hymn "Amazing Grace" played, Trump, who was standing alongside Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing (RNC), raised his hand in a salute, prompting widespread mockery and criticism on social media platforms, as reported by USA Today.



 

Donald Trump salutes during 'Amazing Grace' hymn at Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race

Trump's arrival at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, was met with overwhelming applause and chants of "USA" from the crowd as he headed towards the pit box of driver Austin Dillon's Number 3 car.

Margo Martin, the ex-POTUS' Deputy Director of Communications, shared a video of his arrival as he donned his signature MAGA cap. The video showed him greeting the crowd during the Memorial Day weekend event.

Charlotte Motor Speedway's official X (formerly Twitter) account also posted a clip of "Trump Force One," his private plane, flying over the track, adding to the spectacle of his entrance at the event, as he became the first sitting or former president to attend a race at the venue.

The last presidential appearance at the speedway was by Bill Clinton at the 1994 Ford Mustang 30th anniversary event, though Clinton did not attend the race itself.

However, this wasn't Trump's first interaction with NASCAR, as he had previously served as the grand marshal for the 62nd Daytona 500 race in 2020.

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 26: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Donald Trump's attended the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race over the Memorial Day weekend (Jared C Tilton/Getty Images)

During the event's opening ceremony, Trump at one point saluted to the tune of "Amazing Grace." As per the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), a civilian's salute can evoke diverse responses, viewed either as a sign of respect or as a violation of military regulations.

The UCMJ specifies that while there are no explicit prohibitions in military codes or civilian law against civilians saluting military personnel, this gesture is not typically observed among civilians. Furthermore, the UCMJ explains that saluting within the military is embedded in a system of mutual recognition, a concept that civilians may not completely understand.

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 26: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stands on the grid with NASCAR team owner Richard Childress prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Donald Trump salutes during 'Amazing Grace' hymn at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race (Jared C Tilton/Getty Images)

Before heading to the Coca-Cola 600 event, Trump spoke to attendees at the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro over the phone.

Internet trolls Donald Trump as he salutes during the 'Amazing Grace' hymn at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race 

One said, "Trump has no idea that Amazing Grace is a Christian song, not a military song. He is lost and saluting everyone and everything. He saluted a car."

Another wrote, "Frumpy saluting during Amazing Grace! Someone please tell this idiot, it is not the National Anthem," and a person remarked, "He's an idiot, just like his Mother said."

"Unfit. His mental decline is getting harder and harder to hide. At this point, a debate against Biden would seem cruel. He’ll bail. No chance he’ll show," claimed someone else. 

A frustrated individual stated, "Literally the dumbest person to ever hold a federal office. And that's a tough race to beat," while one more bluntly added, "Grandpa needs an intervention."

Another person called out the ex-POTUS, writing, "He just can't help but disgrace anyone who has worn the uniform," with a netizen echoing, "It just gets worse every day."



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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