After Weather and Attendance Woes, Trump Seeks $10M Congress Bailout

The Trump administration has reportedly requested that Congress provide $10 million to help cover expenses tied to the Great American State Fair, following weeks of weather delays and low turnout. The fair, backed by the Freedom 250 organization, ran into repeated setbacks during its two-week run. Officials say the funds would reimburse the National Park Service for costs connected to the rededicate 250 prayer gathering, the state fair itself, and the July 4th Salute to America, all held on the National Mall. This request follows an earlier allocation of $150 million approved by Republicans last year for events marking the 250th anniversary of the nation. The White House-backed Freedom 250 group launched its celebrations in June. Officials from the Department of the Interior say the new funds are needed to boost security, pointing to recent threats surrounding a UFC event at the White House and an attempted attack on the president at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April. Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate panel overseeing National Mall funding, criticized the request, saying it was unfair to ask taxpayers to bail out Freedom 250. He said Congress had already approved $150 million without input from both parties, based on assurances that private donors would cover the remaining costs. Despite the funding, the fair faced ongoing problems. Early days saw sparse crowds, with many states failing to staff their exhibits, and one visitor remarked there were more news cameras present than actual guests. Many exhibits featured only one or two seats. A Ferris wheel stood as one of the few attractions available. Power outages repeatedly hit food vendors, melting ice cream supplies that could not be restocked until the next day, and delaying hot meals for over 30 minutes during a stretch of near-triple-digit heat. A replica of a future triumphal arch drew criticism online for its appearance. Severe rain and extreme heat eventually forced the fair to shut down entirely. Stay with us for more verified updates and trending news developments.