Since kicking off their partnership in June 2022, NBC has become a crucial player in delivering NASCAR coverage. With a talented broadcast team that includes legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and innovative presentation styles that immerse viewers in the action, NBC has kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Now, in a surprising twist, the network is using its platform to give Donald Trump equal footing in the presidential race against Kamala Harris. With millions of NASCAR fans watching the playoffs, NBC decided to give Trump screen time during the peak of the sport as they did for Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live. Now that NBC shared Trump’s campaign on its network, let’s take a look at what the 45th president had to say.
Donald Trump shares a message with NASCAR fans
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NBC is shaking things up by giving former President Donald Trump some airtime during its coverage of NASCAR and Sunday Night Football. This move seems to be a direct response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, which lasted a brief minute and a half.
According to sources, this means that if another presidential campaign steps up, NBC has to provide a similar chunk of airtime—in this case, about 90 seconds. On Sunday, as the NASCAR playoff race wound down, viewers spotted Trump appearing in an unusual ad.
Clad in a red “Make America Great Again” cap, he looked straight into the camera, warning that electing Harris could lead to a “depression” and urging folks to “go and vote.” This spot wasn’t just a one-off; NBC also slotted Trump in for 60 more seconds during the post-game segment of Sunday Night Football, right after a paid campaign ad.
“NBC is giving former President Donald Trump’s campaign free commercial time in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live, including an unusual ad during Sunday’s NASCAR coverage, a source familiar with the matter.” – @THR https://t.co/76fab2BNeQ
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) November 4, 2024
What’s your perspective on:
Is NBC's decision to air Trump's campaign during NASCAR a bold move or a media misstep?
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It’s still unclear who orchestrated this unique placement—was it the Trump campaign pushing for it, or did NBC take the initiative? And what about other campaigns? NBC will have to accommodate them if they come knocking for their equal time due to FCC rules.
Donald Trump is no stranger to the world of NASCAR, though. The former president has been spotted at the Daytona 500 in 2020, and when he did it, he did it in style.
Starting the Daytona 500 2020 in style, Donald Trump
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Picture this: It’s the Daytona 500, one of NASCAR’s biggest events, and President Donald Trump arrives in style, making a grand entrance in his presidential limousine. As he takes a ceremonial lap around the famed racetrack, the crowd cheers him on.
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Just moments earlier, he had soared overhead in Air Force One, giving spectators a dramatic flyby that only heightened the anticipation. Riding alongside First Lady Melania Trump, the president soaks in the roaring cheers from the fans, who are all about that NASCAR spirit.
Trump has always had a name in the NASCAR world and that’s probably why he decided to run his campaign ad during the race broadcast. Whether you’re a fan of racing, or politics, or just love a good show, you can’t deny the spectacle of Trump cruising around the track, making his mark on one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
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With the final race at Phoenix next, who do you think will win this year’s Cup Series championship?
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Is NBC's decision to air Trump's campaign during NASCAR a bold move or a media misstep?