Trump Fair Flops
Trump plans a long July 4 National Mall speech despite extreme heat and crowd concerns.
9 left1 center1 right
Updated Jul 1, 8:33pm ETBoth sides, every morning
The day’s biggest stories and how each side covered them. Free.
The reporting
Mostly LeftPresident Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall, billed as a 16-day centerpiece of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, has drawn sparse crowds and mounting ridicule. Reports say Trump reacted angrily after seeing images of the empty grounds, while even some MAGA supporters criticized the event as underwhelming or a “disgrace.” The fair’s problems range from weak turnout and poor optics to Democratic-led states pulling back and merchandise that reportedly omitted Trump’s face. The flop has become a political embarrassment for a president who closely tracks crowd size and public spectacle.
Analysis & opinion
July Fourth RisksBalanced
White House officials fear Trump’s July 4 National Mall celebration could suffer the same low turnout as the state fair, with extreme heat, delayed fireworks and tight security threatening attendance. Trump has brushed off forecasts near 107 degrees, saying he plans to deliver a “really long” Independence Day speech anyway.
Also today
All of today's stories →- 1JD Vance Defends Ramaswamy Attack AdLeft & CenterLeft & Center102articles
- 2Russia Frees Stephen HubbardBalancedBalanced58articles
- 3Balanced58articles
- 4Balanced49articles
- 5OpenAI Finds PHP FlawBalancedBalanced44articles
- 6Meta Ordered To Pay $25BLeft & CenterLeft & Center37articles