States Skip Trump’s 250th Anniversary Fair as 2016 Congress-Created Commission Loses Control
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
States Skip Trump’s 250th Anniversary Fair as 2016 Congress-Created Commission Loses Control
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
Summary
Several states have declined to join the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, a marquee Freedom 250 event opening later this week.
The pullback reflects criticism that President Trump’s separate Freedom 250 effort has made the 250th anniversary celebration appear partisan and left officials unclear about who is in charge.
America250 — the bipartisan commission Congress created in 2016 — is still running nationwide projects including a July 4 concert, local block parties, a student essay contest and a time capsule with contributions from every state and territory.
Trump, after returning to office last year, built Freedom 250 alongside that structure, adding events such as a UFC cage match and touring “Freedom Trucks,” deepening overlap ahead of the July 4 semiquincentennial.