The Moment
Danica Patrick, 44, stepped back into the political spotlight this weekend, posting photos from a Turning Point USA event in Arizona where she met President Donald Trump. In images she shared on Instagram, the former NASCAR and IndyCar star called him “My friend, POTUS,” and later described him as “badass and funny” in her Stories.
Patrick also posed with former NHL All-Star Jeremy Roenick and ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely, noting what she called a “big athlete turnout.” She added that she helped introduce Feely on stage and described him as running for Congress – a detail that, for now, rests on her caption.
The posts come a few months after Patrick said she’d stepped away from her Formula 1 TV duties, signaling a new phase where she’s as likely to pop up at a political event as in the paddock.
The Take
Athletes pick lanes. Some stick to scoreboards; others slide into podcasts; a few, like Patrick, merge into politics, or at least politics-adjacent spectacle. With Trump back in the White House, the sports-to-politics pipeline is basically an HOV lane. UFC selfies, sideline shout-outs, rally cameos, it’s all part of the same modern fame economy.
For Patrick, the calculus seems simple: her brand has always been performance plus bravado. Showing up at a Turning Point event and praising Trump fits that playbook. I don’t see a grand rebrand so much as a logical crossover. Think of it as swapping the checkered flag for a campaign banner, same roar, different pit crew.
Also worth clocking: she recently left her F1 broadcast role. Visibility matters in 2026, especially when your next gig isn’t set in stone. A high-profile stage keeps your name lapping the field, whether you’re calling races or courting a broader audience that already vibes with your image.
Receipts
Confirmed:
- Patrick posted photos and captions with President Trump from a Turning Point USA event in Arizona on Instagram in mid-April 2026, including “My friend, POTUS” and “badass and funny.” (Source: Danica Patrick’s Instagram posts/Stories, April 2026.)
- Patrick previously announced she was leaving her Formula 1 broadcast role before the 2026 season. (Source: Danica Patrick’s Instagram post reflecting on her F1 TV tenure, early 2026.)
Unverified/Reported:
- Patrick formally shared the stage to introduce Jay Feely, and that Feely is “running for Congress” – pending Feely’s own public confirmation or filings.
- Claims of a “big athlete turnout” and the full list of notable attendees beyond the individuals shown in Patrick’s posts.
- Exact seating placement and specifics of Trump’s remarks at the event without separate event footage or transcript.
Backstory (For Casual Readers)
Danica Patrick is one of the most famous American racers of the last two decades, the first woman to win an IndyCar race (2008) and later a NASCAR regular before retiring from full-time driving in 2018. She’s since worked in broadcasting and built lifestyle ventures. Patrick has voiced support for Trump on social media and at public appearances in previous years, so this Arizona meetup aligns with her stated views.
What’s Next
Watch for whether Patrick starts appearing at more political events this year and if she links up with advocacy or voter-drive efforts. If Jay Feely’s run becomes official, expect cross-sport endorsements to follow. On the media side, eyes are on Patrick’s next move post-F1 TV, a new broadcast home, a doc-style project, or doubling down on her own platforms would all make sense.
Do athlete appearances at political events change how you see them, or is it just another stop on the modern celebrity tour?
Sources: Danica Patrick’s Instagram posts and Stories from the Turning Point USA event (April 2026); Patrick’s Instagram announcement reflecting on her exit from Formula 1 TV duties (early 2026).
Comments