US president, pushing on with Freedom 250 festivities, makes over nation’s capital for Trump rally on wheels

• Kyle Kirkwood wins Freedom 250 IndyCar race after Trump waves the green flag

He got the wrong end of the stick. Donald Trump couldn’t figure out how to hold the green flag until his wife, Melania Trump, and Command Sgt Maj Matt Williams set him right. Then the US president waved the flag fast and furious like an excited schoolboy. The race was under way – and his conquest of Washington DC was complete.

Since returning to Washington, Trump has deployed the national guard, wrecked the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, demolished the East Wing of the White House and run the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts into the ground. His face adorns the Department of Justice, and he still has grand plans for a triumphal arch worthy of a Roman emperor.

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© Photograph: Doug Mills/Reuters

© Photograph: Doug Mills/Reuters

© Photograph: Doug Mills/Reuters

• American driver wins in a dominant performance

• DC Mayor Muriel Bowser served as grand marshal

Kyle Kirkwood gave the Freedom 250 an American winner, racing to his second victory of the IndyCar season on the streets of downtown Washington in a dominant performance Sunday.

In a race set up as part of the country’s 250th birthday celebration, President Donald Trump gave drivers the green flag at the start and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser served as grand marshal. Kirkwood crossed the finish line in front of the Capitol 3.09 seconds ahead of Christian Lundgaard, after leading for 128 of a possible 147 laps.

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© Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock

It was the final, major event planned for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The president took a lap.

© Alex Kent/The New York Times

It was the final, major event planned for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The president took a lap.

© Alex Kent/The New York Times

• López wins majority decision to claim WBA crown

• Romero brands judges’ verdict a ‘robbery’

• New champion adds to previous 135lb, 140lb belts

Teófimo López became a three-division world champion on Saturday night, winning a 12-round majority decision over Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero to claim the WBA welterweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

López prevailed by scores of 115-113 and 116-112, while the third judge saw the fight even at 114-114. Romero, making the first defense of his title won against Ryan Garcia 15 months ago, disputed the result in the immediate aftermath.

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© Photograph: John Locher/AP

© Photograph: John Locher/AP

© Photograph: John Locher/AP