Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon have publicly declined to send official delegations to President Donald Trump's Great American State Fair on the National Mall, opening June 25. Three additional states remain uncommitted two weeks before the grand opening, according to reports by NOTUS. The boycotts follow a wave of musical acts dropping out of the Freedom 250 music festival, with performers including Martina McBride and Bret Michaels citing misleading information about the event's political nature. Trump responded by announcing he would open the fair with what he described as the greatest rally ever. The controversy reflects deeper tensions between Freedom 250, Trump's entity producing the event, and America 250, Congress's bipartisan commission. The Trump administration withheld tens of millions from America 250 — now facing a $100 million shortfall — while funneling at least $68 million to Freedom 250. Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey criticized Trump's financial motivations. North Carolina, a Trump-voting state, declined participation, citing a $100,000 preparation cost it cannot afford. Officials in other states cited rushed timelines and staffing concerns. Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.
