Trump's State Fair: Sparse Crowds and Inflated Numbers
President Donald Trump's Great American State Fair, a 16-day event marking America's 250th anniversary, is drawing more attention for its empty fairgrounds and disputed attendance figures than for its attractions. Photographs from the National Mall show largely vacant spaces, while the President's claims of 45,000 attendees have been directly contradicted by major news outlets reporting crowds of roughly 1,000.
What is the Great American State Fair?
The fair, which opened Wednesday with remarks from Trump, is part of the nation's yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary. Organizers promoted it as a patriotic showcase featuring all 50 states, family attractions, live entertainment and exhibits celebrating American history and culture. The event runs for 16 days on the National Mall in Washington.
Visitors expecting a traditional state fair, however, will find few familiar staples. There are no roller coasters, midway games or carnival rides. Classic fair foods like funnel cakes and corn dogs are absent. The fairgrounds include just a few main attractions: a 110-foot Ferris wheel and a plywood