White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a photo from the Great American State Fair on June 28 that inadvertently highlighted the sparse crowds at President Donald Trump’s 16-day celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, which opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 25.
In the photo, Leavitt posed with her nearly two-year-old son Niko in front of a plywood replica of Trump’s proposed “Triumphal Arch,” but the fairgrounds behind her appeared largely empty. The image circulated widely after she posted it to X on Sunday, becoming a focal point in ongoing criticism of the event’s low attendance.
Trump claimed his opening-night rally drew 45,000 people, but multiple outlets disputed the figure. NBC News and The Washington Post reported significantly lower numbers, while observers described the crowds as sparse compared to typical state fair attendance. Reuters noted that the first few days drew sparse crowds, and City Cast DC reported that lines were short and space was ample on the fair’s opening day.
The event, organized by Freedom250—a public-private partnership created by the Trump administration—has faced multiple operational setbacks. The fair experienced two weather delays, with one forcing performer Vanilla Ice to cancel his Friday performance due to a scheduling conflict, according to The Daily Beast. A power outage on Thursday caused ice cream to melt at food vendors. Critics have also pointed to high food prices and questionable attraction selections as dampening visitor interest.
Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy interviewed Leavitt at the fair, and the crowd visible behind her during the segment was also notably sparse. When discussing the event’s upcoming Independence Day fireworks show, Leavitt called it a “must-see event.” The Daily Beast reported that the fair has been criticized for low turnout over several days, with the crowd beginning to thin before Trump had even completed his opening-night address, according to reporting from The Bulwark.
The Great American State Fair is scheduled to run through July 10, 2026. Freedom250 has also faced criticism over allegations that it diverted millions in taxpayer funds from America250, a national bipartisan organization charged by Congress to oversee the semiquincentennial celebrations.
Sources
- The Daily Beast — reported Leavitt’s photo at the fair, Trump’s 45,000-person claim, sparse crowds, weather delays, Vanilla Ice cancellation, power outage, and low turnout
- Yahoo News — confirmed Leavitt’s appearance at the fair and Trump’s disputed 45,000-person attendance claim
- Reuters — reported sparse crowds in the first few days of the fair
- City Cast DC — reported short lines and ample space on opening day
- NBC News — reported the 16-day event organized by Freedom250 and fair attendees’ perspectives
- Forbes — reported Trump’s 45,000-person claim and disputes from multiple outlets
