US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace.
Trump's rant comes after the FBI claimed a noose found in Wallace's team garage, originally thought to be racist threat, was simply used to pull down the door.
The entire NASCAR paddock gathered around Wallace for support amid the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.
But Trump wants an apology from Wallace for what he describes as "just another HOAX".
"Has @BubbaWallace apologised to all of those great Nascar drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX?” the President has tweeted.
Trump then takes a shot at Nascar's decision to ban the Confederate flag, before incorrectly stating the series is experiencing its worst-ever ratings.
Fox Sports executive vice president Michael Mulvihill has taken to Twitter to rubbish Trump's claim, noting that since its return in May, ratings are up eight percent on last year.
Driver Tyler Reddick has also shot back at President Trump, saying the sport doesn't need his opinions.
"We don’t need an apology," writes Reddick. "We did what was right and we will do just fine without your support."
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has defended her boss, saying Trump's words have been misunderstood.
"The tweet intended to stand up for the men and women of NASCAR and the fans."
McEnany claims the media and public labelled the garage noose as a hate crime, before an investigation was conducted, while also accusing the press of taking the word "HOAX" out of context.
When pressed on Trump's demand for a Wallace apology, McEnany says: "Well, look, the FBI, as I noted, concluded that this was not a hate crime and he [Trump] believes it would go a long way if Bubba came out and acknowledged that as well."
Speaking to NBC Today last month, Wallace revealed his frustrations over the FBI investigation.
"I was relieved, just like many others, to know that it wasn’t targeted towards me," Wallace said. "But it’s still frustrating to know that people are always going to test you, and always just going to try and debunk you.
"That’s what I’m trying to wrap my head around now, from people saying I’m a fake… or that I reported it, when it was information that was brought to me."
On Tuesday morning, Wallace replied to Trump with his pwn social media message.
Wallace urged those looking to him as an example to: "keep your head held high and walk proudly on the path you have chosen."
Wallace concluded the message: "Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE. "Love over hate every day. Love should come naturally as people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS."
