Trump's great American state fair turns into a great American flop

Trump's great American state fair turns into a great American flop Trump promised America a historic celebration, but his Great American State Fair has become a humiliating display of empty crowds, cancelled acts, political division and farcical failures. Ahead of his Great American State Fair, self-appointed headliner Donald Trump boasted he attracted "much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime". But as his disastrous 250th US birthday party continues, it seems only the crowd is leaving the building. What was meant to be a flag-waving launchpad to the country’s historic milestone has instead become a rolling humiliation: empty spaces, absent stars, stalled rides, no-show states, melting ice cream and a President still insisting everything is “packed to the brim” while the pictures tell a different story. Even Uncle Sam has been arrested. It was billed as the “Number One Attraction anywhere in the World” - 16 days of celebrations on Washington's National Mall. Instead, it has looked less like the greatest show on Earth and more like a county fair that forgot to invite the county. Kristen Hamilton, who visited the fair, told the Mirror: "I thought it was an event to celebrate America's birthday. Instead, it seems like somebody else's campaign rally. I've seen busier church fêtes back home. Half the stalls were empty, and the other half looked like they were waiting for customers.” The 36-year-old, who admits she previously voted for Trump but although remains a Republican now denounces the president, added: "The loudest thing there isn't the music. It's the sound of organisers telling us how successful it all is. The queue for the portable toilets was longer than the one to see Trump.” Judd Payner, 57, said: "America's 250th birthday deserved something everyone could enjoy. Instead, it felt like half the country had decided not to come. I've been to county fairs all my life. This one had all the politics and none of the atmosphere." Last week, when Trump took to the stage to open proceedings, Americans were promised a patriotic spectacular. Fifty states. Big-name performers. A celebration to unite a divided nation. Instead, those who turned up were treated to another airing of Trump's greatest grievance hits: boasts about his popularity, attacks on political opponents and familiar grievances dressed up as a history lesson. Even before the first performance, the cracks were showing. The Commodores, Milli Vanilli, Poison frontman Bret Michaels and country singer Martina McBride all pulled out. Other headline acts quietly distanced themselves as the event became increasingly wrapped up in Trump's politics. Faced with a programme rapidly unravelling, the President simply promoted himself to top billing, with aides hailing his appearance as “the rally to end all rallies”. It wasn’t. It isn’t. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warmed up the opening night’s audience by dismissing the musicians who withdrew as “libtards”, an unusual way to begin an event supposedly celebrating all Americans. Trump then declared the States the “hottest” country on Earth before launching into another familiar routine of self-congratulation and complaint. Before he had even finished speaking, people were already heading for the exits. Trump later insisted 45,000 people had packed the venue. Those actually there described something much different. Photographs showed large stretches of the National Mall sitting empty, while many of those present appeared to be loyal supporters in campaign merchandise rather than families drawn by a once-in-a-generation national celebration. That matters because few politicians have invested so much of their identity in crowd sizes. Ever since disputing the attendance at his first inauguration, Trump has treated audience numbers as a measure of personal success. Once again, the gulf between his claims and reality proved impossible to ignore. Nor did the embarrassment end when the President left the stage. Days later, the fair made headlines after a MAGA social media influencer dressed as Uncle Sam was arrested. Gian Rachtelli was charged with "lewd, indecent, or obscene acts" after three separate witnesses told police they observed what appeared to be a sexual act while watching a troupe of female circus performers. Even exhibits attracted controversy. North Carolina's privately sponsored display sparked outrage after an unapproved image of the incendiary Confederate flag appeared. The governor's office demanded organisers stop “dishonouring the flag of North Carolina”, adding another unwanted headline to a fair already drowning in them. The practical problems proved just as damaging. Generator failures knocked out power across parts of the site, bringing rides to a halt and leaving food vendors watching helplessly as freezers failed and ice cream melted in the Washington heat. Attendees described staff standing behind almost deserted stalls waiting for the lights to return. Visitors hoping for a cold beer found another surprise. Cashiers told customers alcohol was unavailable, reportedly because of the teetotal President's preferences. It was an oddly joyless touch for what was supposed to be America's biggest birthday party. Some visitors questioned whether the celebration had lost sight of its purpose altogether. “There are nice people, nice events, nice family events,” said attendee Sharyn Bovat. “Half the country is divided with the other half. I wish they would create a USA 250 for all the people. I’m tired of the politics.” Looking at a replica of Trump's proposed Triumphal Arch, she added: “It makes me think of Germany.” The sense of disappointment echoed across the fairgrounds. What should have been a shared national celebration instead became another front in America's political divide. The president wanted this fair to become the defining image of America's 250th birthday and to add another chapter to the legend of Donald Trump. He imagined overflowing crowds, television helicopters overhead and wall-to-wall coverage celebrating both the nation and, inevitably, himself. Instead, the images likely to endure are of empty pavilions, cancelled performers, audiences walking out mid-speech, states staying away, stalled Ferris wheels, melted ice cream, an Uncle Sam being led away in handcuffs.