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Danica Patrick Undergoes Surgery After Fox Appearance Sparks Political Debate

2026-08-30 · Danica Patrick · Player Focus

Danica Patrick is recovering from an unexpected surgery after a whirlwind weekend covering an IndyCar race and making a controversial political statement on live television. The former NASCAR star had a piece of glass removed from her left foot on a Tuesday morning, an injury she had carried for over a year.

Patrick's Surprise Surgery and Painful Injury

Patrick revealed on her Instagram story that she underwent a "casual Tuesday morning surgery" to remove a "chunk of glass" from her foot. The injury, sustained a year ago, had recently become much worse. She explained that dancing in Ibiza a few weeks prior increased the pain daily. Patrick said the glass was hitting her bone, making it impossible to walk barefoot, yet she managed to wear heels during her recent Fox Sports appearance covering the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. She described the anesthesia, propofol, as "wasn't so bad."

Political Praise During IndyCar Broadcast Draws Fury

Patrick's weekend in the nation's capital was not without controversy. During her commentary for Fox's coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, she publicly praised former President Donald Trump. This sparked immediate criticism from a segment of IndyCar fans watching the national broadcast. The pushback did not appear to faze Patrick. After the race, she celebrated the event on Instagram, calling it a "new great American race." She thanked several individuals, including Bud Denker, Eric Shanks, Sean Duffy, and President Trump, for helping make the race happen to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary.

Patrick's Role as a Fox Sports Contributor

The incident highlights Patrick's ongoing role as a television personality for Fox Sports. She is expected to continue contributing to Fox's IndyCar coverage. Her move from the driver's seat to the broadcast booth has kept her in the public eye, though it now intersects with the polarized landscape of political commentary. Her direct praise for a divisive political figure during a sports broadcast is a notable departure from typical race analysis.

Key Takeaways from the Weekend

  • Patrick underwent surgery to remove glass from her foot that had been lodged for a year.
  • She praised Donald Trump during a live Fox Sports IndyCar broadcast, drawing fan criticism.
  • She managed to work through the foot injury, wearing heels on air just before the operation.
  • Patrick celebrated the successful Freedom 250 Grand Prix event in Washington, D.C.

Patrick's current situation blends personal health, professional broadcasting, and unexpected political discourse. Her recovery from surgery is straightforward, but the reaction to her on-air comments reveals the challenges of her post-racing career in the spotlight.

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