WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is putting the brakes on his grand plans to hold an IndyCar race in DC to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is pushing for the unusual race around the National Mall in August as Trump seeks out unconventional showcases for America’s leading sporting events.
“We can’t get Schumer. Schumer is making it very difficult,” Trump told The Post in an exclusive Oval Office sitdown.
“What’s wrong with him? Everybody wants to. Schumer doesn’t because he doesn’t want to see advertising near the Capitol,” the president said.
“The cars have ads. If you didn’t, they wouldn’t look as good, right? That’s the only reason.”
The plan requires congressional approval due to a ban on advertising on Capitol grounds.
A Schumer spokesman said: “Senator Schumer has not taken a position on the race and is continuing to review the available information.”
The Transportation Department told the New Republic Friday that “the Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation’s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the capital.
“We’ll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record,” the department said.
Trump groused about his fellow New Yorker as he flipped through a booklet of photos showing off plans for a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn on June 14, which coincides with his 80th birthday.
The UFC match will be one of the highest-profile 250th anniversary events in the capital.
Plans shown off by Trump show a fighting “octagon” with two soaring arched lighting installations roughly as high as the White House building.
About 6,000 guests will be welcomed onto the lawn, and there will be room for another 100,000 people who can watch on jumbo screens set up on the Ellipse — a large grassy area between the Washington Monument and executive grounds.
“I’ve never been involved with something where so many people wanted tickets,” Trump said.
Trump said UFC CEO Dana White “is going to have the best fights.”
“They’re saving all of their championship fights. They are gonna have like 10 of them. I don’t know if you’re into that. I love it. I think it’s great. Those guys are tough.”
Trump said he doesn’t plan to play a significant role in the actual programming.
“I’m just the landlord,” he said.
