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Great American State Fair sees walkouts as performers and states pull out

cultureJun 25, 2026512,109

President Trump opened the Great American State Fair on the National Mall with an evening speech that prompted several performers to withdraw and some attendees to walk out during his address. Governor Josh Shapiro told The New Republic that Pennsylvania will not participate in the fair, joining seven other states that declined involvement after organizers struggled to find companies willing to associate with the event. Video and on-the-ground accounts show people leaving during Trump’s roughly 30-minute speech and criticism of a singer brought on for the program. Trump claimed a “fantastic” turnout of at least 45,000 people, while independent estimates placed the crowd at about 1,000, underscoring a sparse attendance. Attendees also reported logistical problems such as disrupted bus service and empty beer stands, which contributors said added to the uneven atmosphere. Pennsylvania’s formal withdrawal raises the number of nonparticipating states to at least eight and leaves organizers with a narrower pool of state delegations and performers for the broader America 250 celebrations.

Robert Reich
@rbreich.bsky.social

Who is paying for Trumps MAGA-fied Freedom 250 festivities, like the so-called "Great American State Fair"? Trump is using taxpayer dollars to spread the MAGA agenda while granting private donors presidential access — all under the guise of celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Watch.

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