{"id":8147,"date":"2026-08-24T15:02:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T14:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=8147"},"modified":"2026-08-24T15:02:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T14:02:52","slug":"white-house-dragged-using-cars-lightning-mcqueen-freedom-250-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/08\/24\/white-house-dragged-using-cars-lightning-mcqueen-freedom-250-race\/","title":{"rendered":"White House is getting dragged for using Cars\u2019 Lightning McQueen to push Freedom 250 race"},"content":{"rendered":"

The White House is once again under fire for using a beloved IP to promote its own political messaging, this time making Cars\u2019 Lightning McQueen an unwitting mascot of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning McQueen has been the face of Pixar\u2019s<\/a> beloved Cars franchise ever since the first film arrived in 2006, which follows the cocky rookie race car as he learns there\u2019s more to life than winning after becoming stranded in the small town of Radiator Springs.<\/span><\/p>\n

20 years and three movies later, the character remains one of Pixar\u2019s most recognisable children\u2019s characters, with voice star Owen Wilson set to reprise the role in the upcoming Disney<\/a> preschool series Cars: Lightning Racers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But ahead of his official return, the Trump administration has now put Mr. McQueen\u2019s image to a very different use. In a social media post, the White House shared an updated version of the original Cars poster, showing our fave rookie with the American flag decorated on his exterior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A post shared by The White House (@whitehouse)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Instead of the movie title, it says \u201cMAGA Freedom 250 Grand Prix.\u201d This refers to the first ever IndyCar street race held in Washington, DC, taking drivers around the National Mall as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

President Donald Trump<\/a> announced the race by executive order in January and was present when it took place on Sunday, August 23.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision to use beloved Pixar IP to advertise a MAGA event has not gone down well online, with the Instagram post\u2019s comments section packed full of criticism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTarnishing the name of Lightning McQueen,” wrote one, while another said, \u201cMcQueen would not approve of this.\u201d A third added, \u201cDon\u2019t use Cars to promote your illegal behavior.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Others suggested the House of Mouse has rights to take action for copyright infringement, including this person who said, \u201cI smell a copyright violation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another commented, \u201cSomeone send to @pixar @disney @disneyplus @pixarcars for a copyright infringement notice of changing the logos and Pixar Cars characters.\u201d A third simply said: \u201cCome on Disney, sue them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ka-Chow these gas prices are still high<\/p>\n

— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@patriottakes) August 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n