From White House ballroom to IndyCar race, Trump's spectacles take center stage in D.C.

Amna Nawaz:

So, Liz, what does your reporting show about how big a role the White House played in making all of this happen?

Liz Landers:

Well, the president has hosted a number of these flashy events here in Washington to celebrate America's 250th birthday. We saw the UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House in June. We saw the Fourth of July fireworks in July and now this happening in August.

He has had two IndyCar events at the White House ahead of this to preview this race, including one where an IndyCar drove past the White House and did a pit stop while the president and an audience were watching. Also, the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy has been heavily involved in getting this event across the finish line.

There has been a lot of negotiating that's had to happen behind the scenes cutting through red tape. Originally, this course was planned to be on the Capitol grounds, but they couldn't get that approved, so they moved it farther down onto Pennsylvania Avenue.

Amna Nawaz:

All right, Liz Landers beginning our coverage tonight.

Liz, thank you.

Liz Landers:

Of course.