Lamont Administration Rejects $100,000 Fair Offer as Connecticut Stays Out of Trump’s 16-Day Event
Updated
Updated · The Connecticut Mirror · Jun 26
Lamont Administration Rejects $100,000 Fair Offer as Connecticut Stays Out of Trump’s 16-Day Event
1 articles · Updated · The Connecticut Mirror · Jun 26
Summary
$100,000 in private pledges from 10 anonymous donors failed to change Connecticut’s decision to skip President Donald Trump’s “Great American State Fair,” with Gov. Ned Lamont’s office calling the offer too late.
Cathryn Vaulman said the administration had already decided against participating as projected costs climbed toward $200,000 and additional truck fees emerged, making the pavilion an “ever-growing” expense.
The state also said the fair later became a partisan flashpoint, with some recruited musicians backing out and Trump opening the event with a speech and social-media posts that resembled campaign-rally messaging.
At least 10 states are not participating, including every New England state except New Hampshire, underscoring broader resistance around the America 250-linked event on the National Mall.