Trump Faces Low Attendance at Washington Fair Amid Biden’s Sharp Criticism
President Donald Trump has touted the large crowds at his rallies, but the "Great American States Fair" held recently in Washington, D.C., as part of the 250th Independence Day celebrations, has drawn relatively few visitors so far. The fair, located on the National Mall between the Washington and Lincoln memorials, features exhibits from across the U.S., including a 33.5-meter Ferris wheel, but many parts of the event were sparsely attended over the weekend. The fair runs from June 29 to July 10, with expectations of larger crowds on July 4, when the Trump administration promises the largest fireworks display in history, with 860,000 fireworks over 40 minutes.
The event has been criticized for its political overtones, as Trump made the opening night a political rally after several performers withdrew over concerns of political association. Some states, mostly with Democratic leadership, declined to send official delegations citing costs and political identification with Trump, resulting in minimalistic exhibits. An Atlantic magazine reporter described the empty state booths as resembling a "dentist’s waiting room." The fair is organized by Freedom 250, a private-public group linked to the White House, separate from the federally funded America250 commission.
Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden sharply criticized Trump in a Democratic Party event in Maryland, calling him a "loser" and accusing him of corruption and narcissism. Biden referenced the controversial refurbishment of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, which was marred by algae and peeling paint, and alleged wasteful contracts awarded without competitive bidding. Biden also condemned Trump’s foreign policy and legacy, highlighting damage to U.S. alliances and global standing.
Biden, who is battling prostate cancer, delivered the speech two years after a chaotic debate with Trump that led to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. He is currently working on a biography and plans to establish a presidential library in Delaware, though progress is slower compared to previous presidents. The library is expected to be much smaller than Barack Obama’s recently opened $850 million center in Chicago.
