# Freedom 250 - The Great American State Fair **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 29, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470 "2026-05-29T03:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/781 "2026-07-06T04:53:58Z")
Three sounds a little…ambitious. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/782 "2026-07-06T04:58:27Z")
I know this is a few-days-old post, but I’m personally surprised he didn’t throw a few rolls of paper towels at the guests. ---
**Author:** ![IkesAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ikesacolyte/32/19012_2.png) [@IkesAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IkesAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/783 "2026-07-06T05:50:36Z")
I don’t think so. Less a grand conspiracy and more, somebody told the NPS to not release the official number publicly. I also never said it would work, lol. I am sure someone on the internet has already counted heads from photos and videos floating around. Edit: I misread your response. Yeah, three figure attendance may be an exaggeration already. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/784 "2026-07-06T07:15:15Z")
[“You don’t have any friends. Nobody likes you.”](https://youtu.be/NB2CNr692RE?t=41) "Not listening. Not listening. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/785 "2026-07-06T22:37:50Z")
> **[Anger and confusion as Trump keeps July 4 crowd waiting in rain for more than...](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-july-4-speech-crowds-b3009099.html)** > > The MAGA crowd was caught up in the chaos, described as ‘frantic’ and a ‘mess’ > The Secret Service said everyone would need to pass through security again after the evacuation. Most had already waited in line during blistering heat earlier in the day. > The public and members of the media were caught up in the chaos, described as “frantic” and “a mess” by reporters on the ground. > > One video circulating on social media showed a brawl breaking out near the line as frustrated attendees reached breaking point. > > People criticized the logistics and said it created confusion among revelers and members of the press. > > “Currently, on the Metro, groups of Trump supporters remain turned around and confused as to how to get back to the National Mall due to the Smithsonian station being exit-only,” former reporter Zachary Petrizzo posted on X. “One couple who asked for directions, said they might just have to watch the speech from their iPhone.” > > [FOX5’s Josh Rosenthal](https://x.com/Lokay/status/2073602017407152178) claimed law enforcement directed crowds to a non-existent security checkpoint location where they waited for more than 10 minutes, before they were redirected to the right location. > > “The event organizers genuinely appear to have made zero plans for what would happen in the event of thunderstorms which only happen approximately 94% of the time on hot summer evenings in DC,” another person commented. > [@aurora\_maire](#): > > > [@Trump](#): > > > > 422,000 people! [Still smaller than the 1976 crowd.](https://www.newsweek.com/how-trumps-america-250-crowd-size-compares-to-1976-bicentennial-12158887) ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/786 "2026-07-06T22:51:02Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Most had already waited in line during blistering heat earlier in the day. From what I understand, they waited in line a long time the first time. L…O…fucking…L ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/787 "2026-07-06T23:10:35Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > > [@aurora\_maire](#): > > > > > [@Trump](#): > > > > > > 422,000 people! > > [Still smaller than the 1976 crowd.](https://www.newsweek.com/how-trumps-america-250-crowd-size-compares-to-1976-bicentennial-12158887) They misquoted him. He meant to say 422 million. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/788 "2026-07-06T23:43:57Z")
> “The event organizers genuinely appear to have made zero plans for what would happen in the event of thunderstorms which only happen approximately 94% of the time on hot summer evenings in DC,” another person commented. Damn, so much snark! ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/789 "2026-07-07T02:38:00Z")
I wonder if any of his hardcore front row fans were veterans of the time he left them stranded at the end of a frozen runway in Iowa. Cook 'em or freeze 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/790 "2026-07-07T04:01:07Z")
But that’s just not who he is. > **[In An Alternate Universe Where Trump Isn’t Polarizing, He Could Have Thrown...](https://abovethelaw.com/2026/07/in-an-alternate-universe-where-trump-isnt-polarizing-he-could-have-thrown-the-greatest-july-4th-250th-anniversary-celebration-of-all-time/?utm_campaign=Above%20the%20Law%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--XsmvzLGSEF9NGzb0e7qv3p2hDALYn9P-iF-H8YCwjwcHWe11XZe9RZ2jLTJ-9sXTGMiaH9grE2cy-YL-1nG556PINqQ&_hsmi=426799643&utm_content=426799643&utm_source=hs_email)** > > It would have been Yuge. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/791 "2026-07-07T04:15:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But that’s just not who he is. An interesting article, but I didn’t like how it started: > Unfortunately, in our world, Trump and the Democratic leaders have deepened the nation’s divisions. It’s not a both sides situation. It’s all on him. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/792 "2026-07-07T04:58:10Z")
100%. Interesting, with a heaping helping of “both sideism”. I always (try to) remind myself that the folks I disagree with believe in their cause as deeply as I do about mine. Unless the U.S. falls to this fascist bullshit, history will not find both sides equal. Doesn’t help me / us in the moment, but thinking of how this regime will be viewed is about the most comfort I can take right now. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/793 "2026-07-07T06:25:28Z")
To beat a dead horse, the article says: > The very planning of the 250th has split into rival efforts — Congress’s America250 and the White House’s Freedom250 — symbolizing how polarized we have become . this is rewriting history because Congress’s America250 was a bipartisan effort that got took over by Trump’s Freedom250 and its cult worship of the King. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/794 "2026-07-07T06:56:56Z")
This is like trying to “both sides” a robber and his victim. “But if Fred hadn’t walked to his car that night to drive home, this crime couldn’t have occurred…” ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/795 "2026-07-07T07:18:27Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I always (try to) remind myself that the folks I disagree with believe in their cause as deeply as I do about mine. That’s often the case, but it isn’t here, among a lot of them. A lot of them have no real cause. They just want to “rile up the libs”, engage in bad faith, upset you, do whatever the opposite of what you want is. The thing abou MAGA is the lack of sincerity. Their beliefs are shifting constantly depending on what will be the most obnoxious at any time. There’s no principle to respect. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/796 "2026-07-07T07:31:48Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > this is rewriting history because Congress’s America250 was a bipartisan effort that got took over by Trump’s Freedom250 and its cult worship of the King. I was wondering where the writer’s connection was and how much would it cost me to get some. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/797 "2026-07-07T11:55:36Z")
I mean, when you write > These [foreign] tourists are fawning over Walmart, Chick Fil-A, Costco, Buc-ee’s, and other places Americans don’t think much about. and > the foreign tourists visiting America will see that the hearts of the people are just as big as the stores they shop in. you’ve already made up your mind about which parts of America are the “real” ones. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/798 "2026-07-07T14:29:05Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Walmart, Chick Fil-A, Costco, Buc-ee’s, and other places Americans don’t think much about. especially this part. What does the writer mean, “don’t think much about”? Aside from the popularity of them all, the newest opening of the AZ Buc-ee’s was national news. (well, it seemed that way) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/799 "2026-07-07T14:31:12Z")
Yeah, it’s the modern fantasy of the “real” American that the “elites” don’t know about. Totally untrue but try to get anybody to question that belief or where it came from ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/800 "2026-07-07T14:33:55Z")
Not to mention > **[People of Walmart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_Walmart)** > > People of Walmart (PoW) was an entertainment website featuring user-submitted photos of Walmart customers considered to be socially awkward or undesirable by users of the site. PoW was promoted largely on sites like Digg and Funny or Die and linked on Facebook and Twitter. People of Walmart was founded in 2009 by brothers Andrew and Adam Kipple and their friend Luke Wherry. The website was founded in August 2009 after three men in their 20s—Andrew Kipple, his brother Adam, and their friend Luke... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=41)