ESPN Inexplicably Announces Interview With Bubba Wallace Reflecting on ‘Noose’ Found in His Stall Last Year

ESPN announced a new interview with NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace where he will be reflecting on the “noose” that was found in his stall last year.

The timing seems particularly odd, considering the verdict in the trial against actor Jussie Smollett also occurred this week where he was found guilty on 5 of 6 charges stemming from when he staged a hate crime.

An investigation by the FBI concluded not long after the claim was made and in a statement at the time, NASCAR announced, “The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall. This was obviously well before the 43 team’s arrival and garage assignment.”

“We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing,” they explained.

That didn’t stop ESPN from claiming in their advertisement for the interview, “Last year, a noose was found in Bubba Wallace’s stall at Talladega Superspeedway.”

“The next day, the NASCAR community stood with him in unity. ‘I was like, ‘Holy s—, it’s the whole garage.’ … That’s when I lost it,'” they added in the tweet.

In a subsequent tweet, the company said, “Bubba Wallace reflects on that and more tonight at 7:30 ET on ESPN.”

Bubba Wallace reflects on that and more tonight at 7:30 ET on ESPN. (via @E60)

— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2021

The tweet has been badly ratioed, with many essentially wondering why the whole situation would ultimately be brought up again and with a positive spin.

Twitter user “VFL” asked in response, “I thought the investigation debunked this?”

I thought the investigation debunked this?

— BobVFL (@bobby_ray6) December 14, 2021

Others shared a screenshot of the ESPN article on the FBI’s debunking it as being a racist act against Wallace.

pic.twitter.com/3fK36tp1uF

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 14, 2021

Verified Twitter user Adam Kuhn wondered, “Wait am I missing something? I thought this was investigated by the FBI and determined to be a hoax?”

Wait am I missing something? I thought this was investigated by the FBI and determined to be a hoax?

— Adam Kuhn (@IamAdamKuhn) December 14, 2021