Trump Orders Deletion of State Fair Crowd Photos as Organizers Claim 150,000 Attendees
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · Jul 1
Trump Orders Deletion of State Fair Crowd Photos as Organizers Claim 150,000 Attendees
3 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · Jul 1
Summary
CNN reported Trump was “livid” after aerial photos showed sparse turnout for his Great American State Fair opening remarks, prompting White House officials to delete images from social media.
Those photos undercut public claims around the 16-day event: Trump said opening night drew 45,000 people, while independent estimates put attendance near 1,000 and showed attendees leaving during his speech.
Freedom 250 still said more than 150,000 people have visited overall, but insiders described finger-pointing inside the White House over an “if you build it, they will come” approach that failed to drive attendance.
The weak launch has heightened concern over Trump’s July 4 Independence Day celebration, with officials making his remarks free but ticketed so they can gauge turnout in advance.
The fair had already stumbled through power outages, a melted ice cream supply, canceled acts and weather disruptions, deepening doubts about the broader America 250 showcase.