A few days into President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair, it’s clear it sucks. It doesn’t help that the whole event looks incredibly cheap, poorly managed, and dirty. I could say the same thing about most state fairs I’ve been to, so I guess mission accomplished. This is indeed a state fair. The only difference is that this one is a ghost town.
The Great American State Fair is a 16-day-long “national exposition” featuring a Ferris wheel, state-themed pavilions, food vendors, and various speakers and live performances. It was organized by Freedom 250, a task force created by President Trump to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Don’t get this event or Freedom 250 confused with America250, a bipartisan group created a decade ago by Congress to plan and celebrate the very same milestone. That group is planning a nationwide block party and is throwing a big charity event in Los Angeles next month that will feature The Smashing Pumpkins and Queen Latifah. Meanwhile, Trump’s Freedom 250 has Vanilla Ice and uh… a giant, empty lawn.
The center of Freedom 250’s celebration is the Great American State Fair, happening right now in Washington, DC, which is ironically not a state. Over the last few days since it opened, the event has suffered power outages, melting ice cream, and shockingly low attendance. Especially bad for all the people who still perform Ice Ice Baby at karaoke, Vanilla Ice’s concert was canceled and the fair even closed early one night due to bad weather. Dang.
It has been a shitshow, with photos and videos of the event showing bizarre and sparsely attended attractions. But when some of the attractions include a few empty booths representing states like Alaska, Maine, and Hawaii, who didn’t participate, and a chance to hang out with the military and police, I’m not surprised more people aren’t showing up to enjoy all of that in °95+ weather.
And after putting up with the heat, you can visit the North Carolina booth and see a Confederate flag that the state’s governor isn’t happy about. The booth is managed by a private company because the state didn’t want to spend money on it.
TMZ filmed a stage event hosted by Dr. Oz, who is somehow the current administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and when he and former Superman actor Dean Cain talked about how many people were at the fair, the TMZ camera operator turned to an empty field in front of the stage. Rough stuff.
Dr. Oz on stage with Dean Cain talks about how great the crowd is at the Great American State Fair… so @hicharliecotton pans his camera to reveal quite the opposite. https://t.co/vZ3exnGWS3 pic.twitter.com/4e1ugj7AVw
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 29, 2026
The only thing that seems to have a line at the fair is the Ferris wheel, which might explain why so many official photos of the event seem to include the wheel and the line of people near it.
Gene Park reported on a stage presentation featuring a man talking about “Breast Implant Illness.” There were very few people watching or listening, prompting the on-stage presenter to say: “There should’ve been thousands of people listening to us here!” There was also someone on stage during that same presentation claiming root canals make you sick. It’s fun to spread misinformation! Park also shared images of one of the vendors selling food at the fair. There are no tables or chairs to sit and eat any food you buy, and the prices are quite high. Who wants to spend $16 on some chicken, rice, and slaw?
the menu at the American State Fair. i did not eat anything. theres nowhere to sit down except the grass. it’s just these vendors in a tent with no chairs or tables https://t.co/XsyzGCu2T0 pic.twitter.com/ZFNHVBXZ6V
— Gene Park, Obama’s Skull Face (@GenePark) June 29, 2026
The internet has, as you’d expect, been dunking relentlessly on the Great American State Fair and its ugly buildings, poorly constructed decorations, and depressing vibes. Many have also compared the big fair to the infamous Dashcon and the ball pit from many years ago. Others have compared the fair to that horrible, but more charming, Wonka experience that left most attendees feeling ripped off, but made a star out of one tired-looking employee.
Anyway, how’s Trump reacting to everyone making fun of his big state fair? Oh, not well, it seems.
The 11 a.m. Tuesday time slot is at the Great American State Fair is apparently not the most fruitful, as there are more musicians in the band than spectators.
(The band, consisting of young musicians, including a heluva brass section, was quite good.) pic.twitter.com/QQJGzyGmqU
— Dave Levinthal (@davelevinthal) June 30, 2026
“Do you think people appreciate what a fantastic job we did in building and operating the Great American State Fair at the National Mall, packed with happy people, and everybody loving it,” posted Trump on Truth Social. “Ask yourself this simple question, “DO YOU THINK THAT OBUMA OR SLEEPY JOE BIDEN COULD HAVE DONE IT?” THE ANSWER IS NO!” On that we agree, Trump. I can’t imagine Obama throwing a fair like this.
After looking at many videos and photos of the Great American State Fair, if someone asked me what horrible event being mocked online would you attend, I’d pick the Wonka event with no hesitation. Mainly because it looked less hot and I wouldn’t feel as depressed walking around it all day. And also because I wouldn’t encounter a grown man debating a ten-year-old girl about the Salem Witch Trials on a big stage in a field.