Riley Gaines, a former college swimmer turned conservative activist, delivered a controversial prayer before a NASCAR race in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
Gaines, known for her opposition to transgender inclusion in women’s sports, recently stood beside former President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order prohibiting trans women and girls from participating in women’s athletics. During her invocation, she referenced Trump while calling for “unity” that “brings us together.”
“Heavenly Father, bless President Donald J. Trump, his Cabinet, and all of our leaders, that they may seek your guidance in all decisions,” she prayed. “If this is done, we will never be wrong, and America will be made great again.”
Her remarks sparked backlash on social media, with many users criticizing the overtly partisan nature of her prayer, saying it harmed the sport’s reputation.
“This is my father’s NASCAR. And I don’t mean that in a good way,” one upset fan wrote.
Others called on NASCAR to put an end to such political displays, labeling the moment “disgraceful.”
“You do realize that your sport is not an excuse for each week to be a Trump Rally?” the Black NASCAR Fans account posted on X, formerly Twitter. “At this point, you might as well let them bring Confederate flags back if you’re going to let @Riley_Gaines_ give a ‘prayer’ like that.”
Another commenter pointed out the double standard in allowing religious and political messaging only when it aligns with a certain viewpoint.One social media user referenced Trump’s recent visit to the Daytona 500, where he had declared that NASCAR’s spirit would “fuel America’s Golden Age.” “It’s bad enough that Trump was welcomed with open arms,” the person wrote. “But to allow Riley Gaines to pull that political stunt during the opening prayer is sickening.”
NASCAR did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.
