Did Indy Fans on Facebook Get Him To Step Down from His Indy 500 Plan?

Is Donald Trump an embarrassment? Indy 500 fans seem to think so. A Facebook protest page forced “The Donald” to pull out of the Indy 500. The “Dump the Donald” movement began with a Facebook page called We Don't Want Donald Trump to Drive the Indy 500. The page was, (obviously), in protest of Trump driving a pace care in this year’s Indy 500. Approximately 17,000 fans signed the protest, and it has been reported that even more people were concerned Trump’s association with Indy 500 might be bad for the reputation of the Event. The “Dump the Donald” movement first began about a month ago after race officials selected Trump as the celebrity pace car driver. It is a particularly important year for Indy 500 because it is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and there are many special events planned for May 27th. However, many fans and Indiana natives did not believe that Trump’s appearance would positively benefit the event. According to Michael Wallack, who started the Facebook page, “To me, when they first named Donald Trump, it just felt wrong. He has no relationship to the track, to the race, to racing, to Indianapolis, and I think I would have been bothered anytime with something like that. But to do that on the 100th anniversary, it made no sense”. These are perfectly good reasons not to want Trump as a pace car driver; for a 100th anniversary event one can understand how fans want someone who is passionate about the sport. However, Trump’s lack of involvement in Indy 500 wasn’t the only reason Wallack didn’t want him driving a pace car; “Then when he started going off on the birther stuff, that prompted me to do more and that's when I started the page." And Michael wasn’t alone. Indy 500 fans agree; it’s one thing to have questionable hair and host a reality television program; it’s quite another to question the President’s citizenship. On Friday May 6th, Trump pulled out of Indy 500 claiming “press business". The Seattle Post Intelligencer quotes trump: “I very much appreciate the honor, but time and business constraints make my appearance there, especially with the necessary practice sessions, impossible to fulfill.” In other words 'You win. If you don’t want me there, I won’t be there.' While it's overwhelming to think about all the possible combinations of “You’re Fired” jokes that could be used in this situation, it’s interesting that Trump bowed out of the event. Perhaps, there were press commitments, but, more likely, the Facebook group discouraged him from attending. It is yet another example of how social media can provide a voice to the public. However, with the upcoming 2012 Presidential election, the public should take note. Facebook is a good place to protest Indy 500 pace car drivers, but what about Republican candidates? If people feel like Trump embarrasses a car race, how do they feel about him representing their political party, or their country? If the answer is "not good", social media users had better start rallying their resources now.

Social Pro Daily

Did Indy Fans on Facebook Get Him To Step Down from His Indy 500 Plan?

Is Donald Trump an embarrassment? Indy 500 fans seem to think so. A Facebook protest page forced “The Donald” to pull out of the Indy 500.

Kelsey Blair

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Kelsey Blair