In the heart of Washington, D.C., as the city buzzed with political tension during a government shutdown, a different kind of energy pulsed through the marble corridors and gym floors. On October 7, 2025, retired racing superstar Danica Patrick, now 43, joined forces with Lara Trump, 42, and a host of other political and media figures for a day—and night—that blended fitness, politics, and camaraderie in ways few could have predicted.
The day began at Fort McNair, where Patrick, Lara Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, Meghan McCain, Jessica Kraus, and Dakota Meyer gathered for what has quickly become a cult fitness ritual among Washington insiders: the Pete & Bobby Challenge. The rules are simple, but the execution is anything but—100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups, all to be completed in under 10 minutes. According to photos and stories shared on Instagram, the group tackled the challenge head-on, their determination evident and spirits high. As Lara Trump posted, “Heck of a morning doing the Pete & Bobby Challenge (100 pushups and 50 pull ups in under 10 mins) with this group of badasses! Tune in to @myviewfnc on @foxnews this Saturday at 9pm to see who came out on top!!”
While it remains a mystery whether every participant finished the challenge within the strict time frame, the gleeful post-workout photos—Patrick flexing, everyone grinning—suggested a sense of triumph. The workout session, set against the backdrop of a city partially paralyzed by political gridlock, seemed to symbolize a different kind of resilience and togetherness. As reported by The Spun, “Patrick didn’t miss her gym time during her trip to the nation’s capital, though.”
The fitness session was only the beginning. That evening, the group reconvened for a dinner that was as star-studded as it was politically charged. Patrick, dressed in a sleek, all-black ensemble, posed for photos with Lara Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, Meghan McCain, and others. The images, which Patrick later shared on Instagram, captured the group laughing and enjoying what was described as a “casual Tuesday night dinner.” According to the Daily Mail, “Spirits were high as they all laughed together in the snaps, while the final picture showed Patrick flexing her toned muscles later in the night.”
The evening’s guest list read like a who’s who of modern political discourse—spanning former presidential candidates, media personalities, and close associates of the Trump family. Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman and now a notable figure in conservative circles, was spotted at both the workout and the dinner. Meghan McCain, known for her outspoken commentary and legacy as the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, added another layer of political diversity to the gathering.
Patrick’s presence in such company is no accident. Though best known for her trailblazing career in racing—she remains the only woman to have won an IndyCar Series race—her public persona has shifted in recent years. As she told Riley Gaines in a candid interview, “It was only a little over a year ago that I went to my first ever political event, which was AmFest here in Phoenix, Charlie Kirk’s big event. I mean at that point in time, hopefully without people judging, I didn’t know who Charlie was. Like I had never paid attention to politics, and in fact, quite specifically avoided the news and had since like 2018.”
That first foray into politics, she explained, was transformative. “After going to that event, I posted some photos of my sister and I, and it just said that ‘I love this country’ and it was a divisive comment to so many and grabbed a lot of attention, which was ridiculous,” Patrick recounted. The whirlwind continued: “And then I finally met Tucker Carlson when he was there because he was one of the speakers and I quickly went on his show. And came back and Charlie reached out and then I went on Charlie’s show and I was like, ‘well, I guess I am in politics now.’”
Patrick’s political engagement has only deepened. She became a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign and has not shied away from weighing in on controversies. Following the assassination of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, Patrick posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, stating that she “got into politics because of @charliekirk1776.” She also campaigned for Trump and commented publicly on ABC’s decision to suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel after remarks about Kirk’s assassin, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Her willingness to speak up has made Patrick a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. As The Spun noted, “Patrick has been open about her interest in politics, despite not voting in an election until her 40s.” She has become a regular guest on conservative media, appearing on shows hosted by Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk, and maintains a steady presence at political events in D.C. According to OutKick, “Every few months she surfaces in DC, at the White House, doing some obscure job for a member of Trump’s cabinet. I think she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve that she may not be ready to reveal just yet, but they’re not far off.”
But politics is only one facet of Patrick’s post-racing life. She has become something of a fitness icon, routinely sharing her workouts and wellness routines online. Recently, she took up an adult dancing class and posted videos of herself in a red-lit studio, donning heels and knee pads, performing energetic routines. “So few women are brave enough to take an adult dance class... but it’s a blast! Give it a try,” she encouraged her followers. In another clip, she joked, “I may need some physical therapy after all the hair whipping.”
Her evolving interests and candid social media presence have kept her in the public eye, even as her racing days recede into the background. Patrick still makes appearances on Sky Sports F1 coverage in the United States, but her outspoken views and willingness to cross political lines have made her a unique figure in the contemporary American landscape.
As Washington continues to wrestle with political discord and government shutdowns, Patrick’s story offers a glimpse into how public figures are forging new paths—blending personal wellness, social media, and political activism. Whether she’s cranking out push-ups alongside Lara Trump or debating the latest controversy, Danica Patrick is, as ever, racing ahead of the curve.
