Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has publicly accused U.S. Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris of dishonesty.
Leveraging her platform on Instagram and her podcast, Patrick sharply criticized Harris, particularly focusing on Harris’s alleged change in stance regarding the gun buyback program, calling it “just one of many lies,” as reported by SportsKeeda.
Patrick, who has transitioned into a career as a pundit for Sky Sports F1 and NBC Sports, is no stranger to the spotlight. In her Instagram posts, Patrick wasn’t just content to call out Harris; she also took aim at pop superstar Taylor Swift‘s recent endorsement of the Vice President.
Swift, who reportedly earns $13.6 million per performance on her Eras Tour, had endorsed Harris in a social media post that Patrick questioned for its timing and authenticity, as previously reported by Newsweek:
Danica Patrick walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at the Miami International Autodrome on May 08, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Danica Patrick hits out at Kamala Harris.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
“I love her music TBH. But there’s no way that long post was ready right after the debate.
“I have been on the other side, that was probably written and revised by a team over the last week. Aka. A plan.”
Further commenting on her stance in the current political campaign, Patrick explained, as reported by The Spun:
“Here is where I stand with SOME current issues and politics. I am not a liberal. I am somewhere between republican and independent.
“I think our country should be run by someone that knows business and has integrity. I believe we should be able to speak freely.
“I love this country, and I have lived in other places. I believe when people of different opinions speak face to face, we realize we are more similar than different.
“I don’t believe everything anyone says. I have been very torn over the years if I should give a [crap] about politics or just live the life I want as an example. I have been doing the latter. The reaction today is definitely interesting… since all I said was, I love this country.”
Since retiring from racing, she has amassed a significant media presence. Her ‘Pretty Intense’ podcast has become a vehicle for her to share some forthright and sometimes controversial opinions.
Patrick is the most successful woman in American open-wheel racing, achieving historic milestones like being the first woman to win an IndyCar race and securing a third-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, the best ever for a female driver.
The effectiveness and impact of Patrick’s criticisms on Harris’s campaign are uncertain. Celebrity endorsements and political endorsements have historically swayed public opinion, and notable figures weighing in—whether supportive or critical—can amplify key debates heading into major elections.
