Episode summary
Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen delivers a scathing critique of Donald Trump's Great American State Fair, a taxpayer-funded celebration for America's 250th birthday that has devolved into a dangerous and poorly executed disaster. Cohen reveals that Trump awarded a $68 million no-bid contract to Event Strategies Incorporated, the same company responsible for organizing the January 6th Ellipse Rally, to produce the event. The fair has faced catastrophic failures including triple-digit temperatures with virtually no shade, lack of air conditioning in vendor booths, only one ride available, and a main archway leaking sealant foam. The event was temporarily closed due to dangerous heat conditions threatening attendees, many of whom are elderly Trump supporters particularly vulnerable to heatstroke. Cohen highlights that Trump took over the project from a bipartisan commission called America 250 that had been planning since 2016, citing a condensed timeline as justification for the no-bid contract. Despite the clear safety hazards, White House officials report that Trump's primary concern has been crowd size rather than attendee welfare, with the president reportedly becoming infuriated by aerial photos showing smaller-than-desired turnout and subsequently ordering officials to delete the images. The commentary frames the fair as emblematic of Trump's broader governance approach, characterized by rewarding allies with lucrative contracts, disregarding public safety, and prioritizing personal ego over American welfare. Cohen also announces his new book examining how Republicans abuse power while Democrats fail to wield it effectively.
