Trump slammed over 'taxpayer-funded joyride' as he takes Air Force One to Daytona 500: 'Where's DOGE?'

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA: After becoming the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, Donald Trump made his second appearance as president at the Daytona 500, a NASCAR Cup Series motor race, on Sunday, February 16, and reached the venue in Air Force One.

However, his visit invited intense scrutiny as one of the hallmarks of his second presidential term has been his bid to cut federal spending, especially with the establishment of the Elon Musk-led DOGE.

NASCAR fans enjoyed seeing the Air Force One fly over the area before Trump rode in the presidential limousine onto the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, per BBC.

Donald Trump takes Air Force One to Daytona 500

Air Force One took off from Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday noon. The White House mentioned in a statement that the president was joined by his son Eric, grandson Luke, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum among others.

Notably, Trump's visit on Sunday made him the first POTUS to attend two Daytona 500 races as he also attended it once during his first term.

Trump was present at the race for about an hour and started the day's festivities by leading a lap around the racetrack before the race began.

Before his arrival, President Trump shared a statement expressing his enthusiasm for attending the Daytona 500.

He said, "Today, I look forward to joining tens of thousands of American Patriots in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the “Great American Race”—the legendary Daytona 500—and the official start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series."

The statement added, "The Daytona 500 brings together people from all walks of life—from lifelong racing fans to first-time spectators—they all join in celebrating a shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race."

It also mentioned, "While fans from around the world gather today at Daytona International Speedway, we extend our unending gratitude to the selfless men and women in uniform who risk their lives to keep us safe."

Trump faces backlash taking Air Force One to Daytona 500

Many internet users criticized President Trump as he took Air Force One to attend the Daytona 500 on Sunday. People accused him of wasting American taxpayers money. He had faced the same backlash after becoming the first sitting president too attend the Super Bowl earlier this month.

A user wrote on X, "Trump's Daytona joyride cost $5M of taxpayer money. MAGA's fiscal responsibility is a joke!" while one added, "Since we’re on the topic of government waste, Donald Trump’s joyride around the Daytona 500 cost American taxpayers around $5,000,000."

A critic also stated, "Glad Trump had the chance to waste millions of taxpayer dollars to fly over the Daytona 500 and then ride The Beast on the track as parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee are underwater. Priorities," whereas one mentioned, "Donald Trump is once again blowing millions of taxpayer dollars on another self-serving trip, this time to the Daytona 500. Where’s DOGE?"

A user also wrote, "This cost millions to do. Where is the cutting of wasteful spending????? First the Super Bowl and now this??" while one commented, "Trump's Daytona trip? More like a taxpayer-funded joyride. Guess he needed a break from ruining healthcare to ruin a race 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.