It is probably folly to try to come up with an example of the worst media coverage of President Trump, as the examples are voluminous and the press always seems intent on outperforming themselves in this regard. That said, we have a tough example for the others to beat. Consider this one a leader for our year-end media awards, The Remmys.

Newsweek has delivered a piece that takes Trump Derangement to new lows as its latest complaint completely abandons reason and common sense. One of the common practices with Trump 2.0 has been his attending major sporting events, something he began just after the election. He attended the annual Army-Navy game and followed that with a visit to watch an NFL contest in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, he was at the Super Bowl, and he will follow that up with a stop in Florida for the NASCAR season kicking off at the Daytona 500.

Newsweek of course immediately made an attempt to denigrate his appearance -- Trump’s arrival could possibly lead to serious accidents on the track. This is seriously offered up as sober journalism. The outlet’s racing reporter Lydia Mee delivers the wisdom.

Reflecting on Trump's history with the Daytona 500, his attendance in 2001 coincided with the tragic death of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Sr. after a crash on the final lap. In 2020, Trump attended the Daytona 500 as President, with responsibilities including signaling the start of the race. During this race, Ryan Newman experienced a violent crash on the final lap.

What Mee is engaged in is the practiced subterfuge in the press. As insipid as it is to suggest someone standing in a skybox can affect the actions on the track, she can pass this off as something she herself is not suggesting -- it is a concern of the fans. Note: All views from fans do not reflect that of Newsweek. She dodges culpability and then posts opinions from random people on social media. It is a completely insane premise, but this journalist justifies it by simply reporting on what others say, and we get no corrective analysis from the supposed racing reporter. So I shall provide it, effectively doing her job.

Not only is it patently asinine to blame a spectator for on-track accidents, but it also cannot be dismissed as sheer coincidence that Trump was in attendance for these major wrecks. This is The Daytona International Motor Speedway – name one time in recent years The Great American Race did not have a major accident. It is one of NASCAR’s restrictor plate races, something the governing body instituted back in the 1980s in the name of safety. 

This was instituted because at the sport’s super speedways - Daytona and Talladega - speeds were getting dangerously high, so NASCAR mandates that the engines have installed an aluminum plate with the carburetor to restrict airflow and fuel, tamping down the speeds. (For some other reason in recent years the smaller Atlanta Raceway was also deemed a restrictor plate track.) While this plate acts as a governor by reducing horsepower, it also delivers parity between the cars. It takes about a full lap before the cars reach top speeds, and as a result, the field is often bunched up for long durations. 

This congestion on the track means that there is usually talk during the race of The Big One occurring. All it takes is for a driver to tag a quarter panel, or someone to hit the brakes and get hit from behind, or even a trailing car to position itself to take airflow off of the rear spoiler, and once a car gets loose it collects those near it, and then much of the field gets caught in the melee. So much for safety...but the NASCAR governors prefer this result.

So sure, Trump’s visits coincided with a major calamity on the track; the same can be said for just about anyone else who has attended the race over the past 35 years. As stunted and desperate as this hit job is, it is very apparent why it is being attempted. Trump’s connection and popularity with the sport is something the press sees as something needing to be blunted.

In 2020, then-President Trump attended the race as its Grand Marshall. He made an impression initially by flying Air Force One over the crowded grandstands. Then to kick off the race he took to the track in the presidential limousine and thrilled both fans and the drivers, as “The Beast” served as the pace car for the drivers.

NASCAR driver @ClintBowyer on @realDonaldTrump leading the field at #Daytona500, "He's gonna pace the field? Ha ha, love it, God it's awesome." pic.twitter.com/8r4yRZo3UK

— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) February 16, 2020

NASCAR was also the birthplace of one of Joe Biden’s enduring character criticisms. Following an Xfinity race at Talladega on track, reporter Kelly Stavast was speaking with winner Brandon Brown, and while the interview was conducted, the crowd organically began chanting “F*** Joe Biden.” Stavast famously tried to spin this as them saying, “Let’s Go, Brandon!” and thus an insulting meme went viral for some time.

So yes, NASCAR and Trump have a deeply favorable relationship. Thus, we have the press making this dose of audacious accusation. They just cannot abide seeing Donald Trump taking what is, quite literally, his victory lap.