11:57 AM PT -- Bubba Wallace just responded to Trump -- and he's definitely NOT apologizing for anything.
Instead, Wallace sent a message directed toward his young fans -- reminding them to combat hate with love ... "Even when it's HATE from the POTUS."
"To the next generation and little ones following my foot steps," Wallace said.
"Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE! Love over hate every day. Love should come as naturally as people are taught to hate. Even when it's HATE from the POTUS ... love wins."
To the next generation and little ones following my foot steps..#LoveWins pic.twitter.com/tVaV3pkdLe
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) July 6, 2020
LeBron James approved of Wallace's message ... adding, "Right HERE too with you!! As well as the next generation who follows in my foot steps! Kings and Queens"
11:12 AM PT -- White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany addressed Trump's tweet at a press briefing Monday morning ... trying to explain why POTUS believes Wallace should apologize.
"Look," she said, "the FBI -- as I noted -- concluded that this was not a hate crime and he believes it'd go a long way if Bubba came out and acknowledged that as well. This was not a hate crime, as noted by the FBI."
8:00 AM PT -- One NASCAR driver is already clapping back at POTUS -- with Tyler Reddick saying, "We don’t need an apology."
"We did what was right and we will do just fine without your support."
24-year-old Reddick is a rising star in the sport and is a favorite to win the 2020 Rookie of the Year.
President Trump has now resorted to attacking Bubba Wallace, claiming the driver owes his bosses at NASCAR an apology for sounding the alarm over a noose that was found in his garage -- going so far as to call it a "hoax."
45 tweeted out the outrageous message Monday morning ... "Has @BubbaWallace apologized 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?" He added, "That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!"
What Trump didn't say ... the garage in question was the ONLY one that had a rope fashioned like a noose. Trump, of course, has no regard for how an African-American driver might react to a symbol of hate, death and racism.
As for why Trump is suddenly pissed off 2 weeks after the incident came to light ... well the Team Trump car with "Trump 2020" emblazoned on it crashed during the 16th lap.
A huge mess at @oreillyauto Pit Reporter @BradGillie's in. He reports a jack is in the middle of pit road. Both JTG cars, Allgaier, Truex Jr and Corey LaJoie were involved. One of Ryan Blaney's crew member was hit during the incident. pic.twitter.com/FjttIutKTF
— PRN (@PRNlive) July 5, 2020
So, Trump is focused on racist, confederate flags and other symbols. Coronavirus ... for him, it doesn't exist. Racism ... well, he seems to embrace it.
And BTW ... NASCAR's ratings are up.
Originally Published -- 6:48 AM PT