The Freedom 250 IndyCar race around the streets of Washington DC on Saturday appeared almost scientifically designed to please Donald Trump.
There was brash, loud noise in the form of racecars screaming past the US Capitol. There were tacky displays of US patriotism in the form of a bald eagle at the start line. There was a flypast from his new Qatari-gifted jet.
But even the best-laid plans of US Presidents often go awry.
A camera focused on Donald and his wife Melania appeared to capture the pair having a brisk exchange of words during the race.
The First Lady can be seen leaning over to speak in the President’s ear before they start talking over each other and she raises her hand.
Audio from inside the presidential booth is sadly not available – and it would likely be hard to make out past the wailing engines of the passing cars anyway.
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling – who described the conversation as ‘intense’ – here’s what was said:
Melania: That is private and valuable text.
Donald: Was it enough?
Melania: I don’t know.
Donald: Then I need to see it.
Melania: Donald, listen, I’m gonna go.
Donald: Listen, she asked you not to close the door.
Melania: Why?
Donald: It’s bad news, but its a bad timing Melania.
Melania: That’s crazy.
Melania whispers in Donald’s ear.
Donald: I’ve had enough of her.
Melania whispers again, and as she pulls back the tail end of what she says: ‘Obviously I’ll see and talk to her in the morning.’
Saturday’s Grand Prix was the latest in a series of over-the-top events Trump brought to the US capital to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Perhaps most notoriously, a UFC Octagon was constructed on the south lawn of the White House in June for a cage fight taking place on Trump’s 80th birthday.
But the event over the weekend took particularly extensive planning and preparation due to the disruption of the ground-shaking vehicles.
Manhole covers reportedly had to be welded down to stop them being sucked up as the cars passed over them, while neighboring museums and galleries housing historical treasures had to take precautions to avoid them being damaged by the vibrations.
One of the more unwieldy vehicles taking to the course was the Beast, the official presidential limousine, which completed a ceremonial lap before the real action kicked off.
Then, 147 laps and around 250 looped miles later, the winner was crowned: 27-year-old Florida native Kyle Kirkwood.
He later posted a picture of himself posing with the bald eagle to social media.
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