Trump vows to continue fair amid chaotic evacuation: ‘Don’t care if it’s 2 in the morning'
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026 9:22PM
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Reading Regional Airport in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 23, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Following the severe weather evacuations at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump remained defiant and vowed to continue festivities – which include a massive fireworks show and a speech by Trump – even if it means waiting until “2 o’clock in the morning.”
“We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the ‘what’ usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares???”
Chaotic scenes erupted at the fair Saturday evening after law enforcement officials directed attendees to leave the National Mall, and several hundred attendees initially refused to do so. The Secret Service suspended security screenings for the fair and urged attendees to “move to shelter immediately.”
“I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th,” Trump wrote. “I’m leaving the White House soon. God Bless America!”
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026 9:22PM
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Reading Regional Airport in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 23, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Following the severe weather evacuations at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump remained defiant and vowed to continue festivities – which include a massive fireworks show and a speech by Trump – even if it means waiting until “2 o’clock in the morning.”
“We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the ‘what’ usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares???”
Chaotic scenes erupted at the fair Saturday evening after law enforcement officials directed attendees to leave the National Mall, and several hundred attendees initially refused to do so. The Secret Service suspended security screenings for the fair and urged attendees to “move to shelter immediately.”
“I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th,” Trump wrote. “I’m leaving the White House soon. God Bless America!”
‘Now there’s a stampede’: Chaotic scenes emerge amid evacuation order at Trump’s fair
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
RAW STORY
Police ride motorcycles, while people seek shelter during the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, as inclement weather moves across the area, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A number of journalists reporting on the ground at the Great American State Fair have shared video of chaotic scenes unfolding after an evacuation order was issued due to severe weather, chaos sparked by “several hundred” attendees who refused to leave the National Mall.
“Look, look, it’s a stampede, they’re jumping over the things, people are falling down right over here!” said controversial far-right journalist James O’Keefe, reporting from the National Mall in a video uploaded to social media Saturday evening. “They evacuated everything, and now there’s a stampede!”
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued Saturday night, leading local law enforcement officials to order fair attendees to evacuate. The Secret Service suspended security screenings at the fair and urged attendees to “move to shelter immediately.”
According to several journalists reporting on the ground, however, a number of attendees have refused evacuation orders.
“Chaos right now on the Washington Monument ground as the Secret Service tells everyone to leave, then someone says ‘mic check’ on the stage and people rush back in,” wrote CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil on a social media post on X.
Savanah Hernandez, a contributor for the conservative advocacy organization Turning Point USA, shared video of a chaotic scene showing attendees “chanting ‘USA USA’ and attempting to run back into the ‘Salute America’ event.”
And Joe Khalil, Capitol Hill correspondent for NewsNation, shared video showing the National Mall cleared of attendees, but only after the involvement of the National Guard.
“A lot of people were not leaving when directed by staff and by the announcements on the loudspeaker,” Khalil wrote in a social media post, sharing video of the scene at the National Mall.
“The National Guard teams just now cleared the mall. Everything was gentle. Smooth. But it took the Nat. Guard’s presence to finally evacuate the mall area.”
Police ride motorcycles, while people seek shelter during the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, as inclement weather moves across the area, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A number of journalists reporting on the ground at the Great American State Fair have shared video of chaotic scenes unfolding after an evacuation order was issued due to severe weather, chaos sparked by “several hundred” attendees who refused to leave the National Mall.
“Look, look, it’s a stampede, they’re jumping over the things, people are falling down right over here!” said controversial far-right journalist James O’Keefe, reporting from the National Mall in a video uploaded to social media Saturday evening. “They evacuated everything, and now there’s a stampede!”
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued Saturday night, leading local law enforcement officials to order fair attendees to evacuate. The Secret Service suspended security screenings at the fair and urged attendees to “move to shelter immediately.”
According to several journalists reporting on the ground, however, a number of attendees have refused evacuation orders.
“Chaos right now on the Washington Monument ground as the Secret Service tells everyone to leave, then someone says ‘mic check’ on the stage and people rush back in,” wrote CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil on a social media post on X.
Savanah Hernandez, a contributor for the conservative advocacy organization Turning Point USA, shared video of a chaotic scene showing attendees “chanting ‘USA USA’ and attempting to run back into the ‘Salute America’ event.”
And Joe Khalil, Capitol Hill correspondent for NewsNation, shared video showing the National Mall cleared of attendees, but only after the involvement of the National Guard.
“A lot of people were not leaving when directed by staff and by the announcements on the loudspeaker,” Khalil wrote in a social media post, sharing video of the scene at the National Mall.
“The National Guard teams just now cleared the mall. Everything was gentle. Smooth. But it took the Nat. Guard’s presence to finally evacuate the mall area.”
Chaos erupts as hundreds refuse to follow emergency evacuation order near State Fair
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. National Guard soldiers help direct visitors near an entrance to the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Thousands of Great American State Fair attendees were ordered to evacuate the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Saturday amid a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, but according to The New York Times, hundreds are refusing to follow orders and creating a “chaotic scene.”
“Some are even arguing with Secret Service agents,” wrote the Times’ Aishvarya Kavi, reporting from the scene. “An officer is sternly repeating the evacuation order over a bullhorn, and the crowd is booing. Many have begun chanting ‘U.S.A., U.S.A.’ One man blamed the situation on ‘liberals in the weather service,’ adding, ‘I think this is baloney.’"
The Secret Service has suspended all checkpoint operations at the National Mall due to dangerous weather conditions, the agency said in a statement, according to the Times. Attendees are reportedly being shuffled into “nearby Smithsonian museums and federal buildings,” with officials "scrambling" to get the thousands of fair-goers to safety.
U.S. National Guard soldiers help direct visitors near an entrance to the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Thousands of Great American State Fair attendees were ordered to evacuate the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Saturday amid a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, but according to The New York Times, hundreds are refusing to follow orders and creating a “chaotic scene.”
“Some are even arguing with Secret Service agents,” wrote the Times’ Aishvarya Kavi, reporting from the scene. “An officer is sternly repeating the evacuation order over a bullhorn, and the crowd is booing. Many have begun chanting ‘U.S.A., U.S.A.’ One man blamed the situation on ‘liberals in the weather service,’ adding, ‘I think this is baloney.’"
The Secret Service has suspended all checkpoint operations at the National Mall due to dangerous weather conditions, the agency said in a statement, according to the Times. Attendees are reportedly being shuffled into “nearby Smithsonian museums and federal buildings,” with officials "scrambling" to get the thousands of fair-goers to safety.
‘Deport them!’ Tensions flare among ‘irritable’ stragglers ordered to leave Trump’s fair
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
RAW STORY
People wait for updates as stormy weather approaches ahead of a Fourth of July rally featuring U.S. President Donald Trump to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
As thousands of Great American State Fair attendees “wander the streets” of Washington, D.C. in an apparent attempt to wait out severe weather, a tense exchange occurred that involved a man wearing “a patriotic t-shirt” calling for another’s deportation, The New York Times reported Saturday.
Fair attendees were ordered Saturday evening to evacuate the National Mall after a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued, an order that initially sparked chaos as several hundred attendees refused to leave. While President Donald Trump has vowed to continue the festivities – even if it means waiting until “2 o’clock in the morning” – attendees may still have hours to wait.
“The restaurants in the area, largely fine dining, are packed. People seem exhausted and irritable, and it’s causing some tension,” wrote the Times’ Aishvarya Kavi, reporting from the National Mall.
In one tense exchange, Kavi described an incident that sparked one man to call for another’s deportation.
“Two men riding electric scooters veered too close to a couple on the sidewalk, [prompting] a short but heated exchange of words,” Kavi wrote. “Behind the couple, a man in a patriotic t-shirt said, ‘Deport them! Deport them!’”
The National Weather Service’s Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 10 p.m. ET, close to when Trump was expected to deliver a speech.
People wait for updates as stormy weather approaches ahead of a Fourth of July rally featuring U.S. President Donald Trump to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
As thousands of Great American State Fair attendees “wander the streets” of Washington, D.C. in an apparent attempt to wait out severe weather, a tense exchange occurred that involved a man wearing “a patriotic t-shirt” calling for another’s deportation, The New York Times reported Saturday.
Fair attendees were ordered Saturday evening to evacuate the National Mall after a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued, an order that initially sparked chaos as several hundred attendees refused to leave. While President Donald Trump has vowed to continue the festivities – even if it means waiting until “2 o’clock in the morning” – attendees may still have hours to wait.
“The restaurants in the area, largely fine dining, are packed. People seem exhausted and irritable, and it’s causing some tension,” wrote the Times’ Aishvarya Kavi, reporting from the National Mall.
In one tense exchange, Kavi described an incident that sparked one man to call for another’s deportation.
“Two men riding electric scooters veered too close to a couple on the sidewalk, [prompting] a short but heated exchange of words,” Kavi wrote. “Behind the couple, a man in a patriotic t-shirt said, ‘Deport them! Deport them!’”
The National Weather Service’s Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 10 p.m. ET, close to when Trump was expected to deliver a speech.
Newsmax concedes Trump fair failures as exhibits shut down: ‘Are they just hotboxes?’
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026 5:20PM ET
RAW STORY
National Guard members distribute water to people waiting in line for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
As soaring temperatures continue to rock President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., several state exhibits at the event were forced to shut down Saturday, leaving the pro-Trump network Newsmax wondering whether exhibits had essentially become “hotboxes.”
“Looking at the state displays... we're assuming there's no portable air conditioners in there,” a Newsmax anchor said, speaking with Newsmax’s Alana Austin, reporting from the fair. “Are they just hotboxes?”
Austin conceded that attempts to cool down the fair’s state exhibits for attendees had shown only “mixed success.”
“They do have fans going,” Austin said. “Some of them are quite cool; I've heard Florida and Georgia are doing pretty well. A couple of the booths here and there have actually had to shut down because they said it was just too hot.”
A local D.C. journalist, Eric Flack of WUSA9, recently did a deep dive into the fair’s state exhibits, learning that they ranged wildly in quality, with some amounting to a barren cubicle where organizers “basically just put up some chairs.”
Some states didn’t participate in the state exhibits at all, such as with North Carolina, which instead was organized by a company that built tractor trailers for the Trump-linked group Freedom 250. The North Carolina state exhibit featured a race car and what appeared to be a cardboard box of North Carolina potatoes resting on the ground.
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026 5:20PM ET
RAW STORY
National Guard members distribute water to people waiting in line for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
As soaring temperatures continue to rock President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., several state exhibits at the event were forced to shut down Saturday, leaving the pro-Trump network Newsmax wondering whether exhibits had essentially become “hotboxes.”
“Looking at the state displays... we're assuming there's no portable air conditioners in there,” a Newsmax anchor said, speaking with Newsmax’s Alana Austin, reporting from the fair. “Are they just hotboxes?”
Austin conceded that attempts to cool down the fair’s state exhibits for attendees had shown only “mixed success.”
“They do have fans going,” Austin said. “Some of them are quite cool; I've heard Florida and Georgia are doing pretty well. A couple of the booths here and there have actually had to shut down because they said it was just too hot.”
A local D.C. journalist, Eric Flack of WUSA9, recently did a deep dive into the fair’s state exhibits, learning that they ranged wildly in quality, with some amounting to a barren cubicle where organizers “basically just put up some chairs.”
Some states didn’t participate in the state exhibits at all, such as with North Carolina, which instead was organized by a company that built tractor trailers for the Trump-linked group Freedom 250. The North Carolina state exhibit featured a race car and what appeared to be a cardboard box of North Carolina potatoes resting on the ground.
‘Going to be brutal’: Trump’s ‘dangerous’ July 4th finale hit with ominous predictions
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
Alexander Willis
July 4, 2026
RAW STORY
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A sign advertising the upcoming July 4th fireworks show is placed on a fence surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as the Washington Monument is illuminated with a projection of a painting of former U.S. President James Madison, ahead of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
President Donald Trump’s record-breaking fireworks show slated for Saturday night has a growing number of critics worried about the safety of Washington, D.C. residents, with one commentator offering a particularly disturbing prediction as to how the event could take a turn for the worse.
Trump announced the fireworks show in June, and proudly touted that it would be “the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY” in a post on social media. Around 850,000 fireworks are expected to be launched during the show, scheduled to begin around 11 p.m. Saturday night.
A handful of internal National Park Service documents obtained this week by The Washington Post, however, revealed that the fireworks show is expected to cause “dangerous pollution” and “very unhealthy conditions” around the National Mall, conditions so severe that several critics feared the event could turn into a disaster.
ALSO READ: Scorching heat and empty baptism pools: Inside Trump's deserted American State Fair
“They'll probably accidentally set the White House on fire,” predicted Nathan Robinson, editor-in-chief of Current Affairs and political commentator, in a social media post on X Saturday.
The air quality at the fireworks show is expected to be so dire that the Park Service advised that attendees “wear an N95 mask when outdoors,” and that they should “remain indoors as much as possible during and after the show.”
“Air quality is already bad due to the heat, this is gonna be brutal,” predicted Amanda Carpenter, writer and editor at Protect Democracy and former writer for The Bulwark and CNN contributor, in a social media post on X Saturday.
Democratic communications strategist Josh Dorner predicted it was unlikely that attendees would adhere to the Park Service’s warning, further exacerbating the danger present at the event.
“The air is going to be SO BAD because of the enormous quantity of fireworks to be set off tonight in DC that officials cautioned people nearby to wear an N95 mask, which I am guessing approximately no one will do,” Dorner wrote Saturday in a social media post on X.
And Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center of Economic & Policy Research, argued that a show of such magnitude was simply beyond Trump’s ability to oversee safely.
“This is waaaay too complicated for an 80-year-old man suffering from dementia to understand,” Baker wrote Saturday in a social media post on X.
A sign advertising the upcoming July 4th fireworks show is placed on a fence surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as the Washington Monument is illuminated with a projection of a painting of former U.S. President James Madison, ahead of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
President Donald Trump’s record-breaking fireworks show slated for Saturday night has a growing number of critics worried about the safety of Washington, D.C. residents, with one commentator offering a particularly disturbing prediction as to how the event could take a turn for the worse.
Trump announced the fireworks show in June, and proudly touted that it would be “the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY” in a post on social media. Around 850,000 fireworks are expected to be launched during the show, scheduled to begin around 11 p.m. Saturday night.
A handful of internal National Park Service documents obtained this week by The Washington Post, however, revealed that the fireworks show is expected to cause “dangerous pollution” and “very unhealthy conditions” around the National Mall, conditions so severe that several critics feared the event could turn into a disaster.
ALSO READ: Scorching heat and empty baptism pools: Inside Trump's deserted American State Fair
“They'll probably accidentally set the White House on fire,” predicted Nathan Robinson, editor-in-chief of Current Affairs and political commentator, in a social media post on X Saturday.
The air quality at the fireworks show is expected to be so dire that the Park Service advised that attendees “wear an N95 mask when outdoors,” and that they should “remain indoors as much as possible during and after the show.”
“Air quality is already bad due to the heat, this is gonna be brutal,” predicted Amanda Carpenter, writer and editor at Protect Democracy and former writer for The Bulwark and CNN contributor, in a social media post on X Saturday.
Democratic communications strategist Josh Dorner predicted it was unlikely that attendees would adhere to the Park Service’s warning, further exacerbating the danger present at the event.
“The air is going to be SO BAD because of the enormous quantity of fireworks to be set off tonight in DC that officials cautioned people nearby to wear an N95 mask, which I am guessing approximately no one will do,” Dorner wrote Saturday in a social media post on X.
And Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center of Economic & Policy Research, argued that a show of such magnitude was simply beyond Trump’s ability to oversee safely.
“This is waaaay too complicated for an 80-year-old man suffering from dementia to understand,” Baker wrote Saturday in a social media post on X.
The spectacular implosion of Trump's big bash shows America is finished with this clown
Daily Montanan
July 3, 2026
People walk past a sign announcing the temporary closure of The Great American State Fair due to heat on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 3, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
If you’re feeling that the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States has been hijacked by a narcissistic, political hack, you’re not alone. Instead of a joyous event for all Americans, our holiday has been plagued by vicious attacks on those who haven’t drunk the Make America Great Again Kool-Aid. And the results are proof positive that we, the people, are not going for it.
Not one bit.
One of the primary “celebrations” was the Great American State Fair held on the National Mall this week. Supposedly showcasing the history of the 50 states, a whopping 20 states decided to skip the event entirely. Not because they’re not proud of their state or didn’t want to tell the wonderful tales about the vast diversity and beauty of this place we call home, but because President Donald Trump turned it into a political rally for himself instead of a birthday party for all Americans.
Most of the musicians and entertainers who were booked cancelled as it morphed into a staged event for Trump. Those few that didn’t cancel had very sparse crowds sprinkled over the lawn in one of the most embarrassing displays of just how historically unpopular our current president and his attempts to divide, not unite, Americans are with the populace.
Despite Trump claiming a crowd of 45,000 people, about 1,000 showed up. Of course this is totally in line with his self-aggrandizing exaggerations across the board since he lives in a fantasy world where he is worshipped and adored.
But the stunning failure of the Great American State Fair isn’t alone in demonstrating the fact that Americans have grown very tired of this particular reality TV show clown. Consider these events of the last week:
July 3, 2026
People walk past a sign announcing the temporary closure of The Great American State Fair due to heat on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 3, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
If you’re feeling that the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States has been hijacked by a narcissistic, political hack, you’re not alone. Instead of a joyous event for all Americans, our holiday has been plagued by vicious attacks on those who haven’t drunk the Make America Great Again Kool-Aid. And the results are proof positive that we, the people, are not going for it.
Not one bit.
One of the primary “celebrations” was the Great American State Fair held on the National Mall this week. Supposedly showcasing the history of the 50 states, a whopping 20 states decided to skip the event entirely. Not because they’re not proud of their state or didn’t want to tell the wonderful tales about the vast diversity and beauty of this place we call home, but because President Donald Trump turned it into a political rally for himself instead of a birthday party for all Americans.
Most of the musicians and entertainers who were booked cancelled as it morphed into a staged event for Trump. Those few that didn’t cancel had very sparse crowds sprinkled over the lawn in one of the most embarrassing displays of just how historically unpopular our current president and his attempts to divide, not unite, Americans are with the populace.
Despite Trump claiming a crowd of 45,000 people, about 1,000 showed up. Of course this is totally in line with his self-aggrandizing exaggerations across the board since he lives in a fantasy world where he is worshipped and adored.
But the stunning failure of the Great American State Fair isn’t alone in demonstrating the fact that Americans have grown very tired of this particular reality TV show clown. Consider these events of the last week:
The Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s executive order attempting to overturn the Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship. It’s not where we came from, it’s where we are; and those born here are Americans.
The president’s former attorney, Ty Cobb, reflecting on the financial declaration showing the president and his sons have garnered more than a billion dollars from sketchy crypto sources called it “the greatest onslaught of corruption in the history of mankind” adding “he creates policies that can only enrich himself and his family, is something that I think the average American should be staggered by.”
A federal judge blocked Trump’s executive order that the U.S. Postal Service could not deliver mail ballots in states that had not surrendered their voter role information to the federal government, thus halting one of his most obvious and odious attempts to rig the coming elections in which his MAGA allies are predicted to lose badly.
Even the Social Security Administration’s latest list of popular baby names puts “Donald” at its lowest point since the 1880s.
The takeaway is clear — Americans are not happy that our nation’s birthday has been hijacked and degraded. We are not happy with being intentionally divided instead of united in celebration of our history. We are not happy that those who fought and died to establish this nation — and all those who have struggled to keep democracy alive since then — have been shoved to the side by a gilded grifter.
Trump is not who we are as Americans and Montanans. We are the nation of “all men are created equal,” and on this 250th celebration of our founding, the great challenge is to live up to that promise, to be the united, not the divided, states — and to continue to forcefully reject these self-serving, despicable efforts to drive us apart.
Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com.
Bizarre moment at Trump's state fair baffles Jen Psaki: 'Don't know what I watched there'
Matthew Chapman
July 2, 2026
Matthew Chapman
July 2, 2026
RAW STORY
People attend the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 30, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
MS NOW's Jen Psaki kicked off "The Briefing" Thursday night with a rundown of the utter failure of President Donald Trump's "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall — and highlighted one moment in particular she thought was incredibly bizarre.
"This was the scene on Tuesday, when there were actually more in the band on stage than there were in the crowd watching them," said Psaki, showing footage of the fair. Crowds did not improve as the week progressed, she noted, "thanks in part to the absolutely bizarre entertainment choices the Trump team booked for the affair."
"This is one of my favorites because it's so strange, this moment when the guy who used to co-host Ted Cruz's podcast seemed to defend the Salem Witch Trials in an apparent debate with someone who I'm guessing is about ten years old," said Psaki, playing the clip of Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles.
"But the one area where the Salem Witch Trials went a little far is, I would say, they weren't organized enough," said Knowles in the clip. "So you had these random judges kind of burning these ladies." (The condemned at the Salem Witch Trials were hanged, not burned.)
"I'm not — I don't know if they were guilty or not, but I think more if it were more formalized, built up a little bit more maybe with like a Grand Inquisitor or something, that would have been a better way to do it," Knowles continued.
"If you don't know what you watched there, I don't know what I watched there either," said Psaki. "But I do know that the person he is talking to ... is definitely a child."
As all this played out, Psaki continued, "you can also see the people who gathered to watch them. And as bizarre as that was to watch, it may have also had the biggest crowd of any event I've seen at this particular fair," with "at least a dozen" spectators. And "things haven't improved since then. I mean, here was the scene earlier today when the stage actually started to fall apart and nearly crushed a group of performers."
People attend the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 30, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
MS NOW's Jen Psaki kicked off "The Briefing" Thursday night with a rundown of the utter failure of President Donald Trump's "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall — and highlighted one moment in particular she thought was incredibly bizarre.
"This was the scene on Tuesday, when there were actually more in the band on stage than there were in the crowd watching them," said Psaki, showing footage of the fair. Crowds did not improve as the week progressed, she noted, "thanks in part to the absolutely bizarre entertainment choices the Trump team booked for the affair."
"This is one of my favorites because it's so strange, this moment when the guy who used to co-host Ted Cruz's podcast seemed to defend the Salem Witch Trials in an apparent debate with someone who I'm guessing is about ten years old," said Psaki, playing the clip of Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles.
"But the one area where the Salem Witch Trials went a little far is, I would say, they weren't organized enough," said Knowles in the clip. "So you had these random judges kind of burning these ladies." (The condemned at the Salem Witch Trials were hanged, not burned.)
"I'm not — I don't know if they were guilty or not, but I think more if it were more formalized, built up a little bit more maybe with like a Grand Inquisitor or something, that would have been a better way to do it," Knowles continued.
"If you don't know what you watched there, I don't know what I watched there either," said Psaki. "But I do know that the person he is talking to ... is definitely a child."
As all this played out, Psaki continued, "you can also see the people who gathered to watch them. And as bizarre as that was to watch, it may have also had the biggest crowd of any event I've seen at this particular fair," with "at least a dozen" spectators. And "things haven't improved since then. I mean, here was the scene earlier today when the stage actually started to fall apart and nearly crushed a group of performers."
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