CNN host Kaitlan Collins reported that President Donald Trump became “enraged” by images showing low attendance at the Great American State Fair, leading to the deletion of those photos by his allies. The event, intended to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary, has faced criticism for poor turnout.
Collins discussed the matter on “The Source,” noting that the president and his supporters had taken over the planning of the event. She stated that when aerial images of the fair's crowds were released, they angered Trump so significantly that officials subsequently removed them. The fair, which began last week on the National Mall, features attractions such as a Ferris wheel and historical reenactment booths, but these have been overshadowed by images depicting sparse attendance.
Trump, however, has publicly described the fair as “packed.”
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) pointed out that the series of events was organized by Freedom 250, an organization established by Trump via executive order, in contrast to America 250, a group chartered by Congress in 2016. Kinzinger also noted that several musicians withdrew from the event's lineup shortly before it commenced. He suggested that the low attendance was unsurprising given Trump's approval rating and the event's perceived focus on the president.
Karen Finney, a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton, characterized the fair's poor attendance as a “metaphor” for Trump's presidency. She questioned the significant expenditure on the event while other programs, such as SNAP and healthcare, face reductions. Finney also referenced reports suggesting Trump has accumulated substantial personal wealth.
The Great American State Fair is scheduled to continue until July 10.