Trump hired January 6th rally organizers to run failing 68 million dollar state fair
"In order to put on this celebration, Trump is using $68 million of taxpayer money. At least some of that money is being paid to a company called Event Strategies Incorporated. It's run by a group of Trump allies, and it's the same company responsible for organizing Trump's Ellipse Rally on January 6th."
About this episode
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.
Key takeaways
- Trump awarded Event Strategies Incorporated, organizer of the January 6th Ellipse Rally, a $68 million no-bid contract to produce the Great American State Fair celebrating America's 250th birthday.
- The fair has experienced catastrophic failures including dangerous triple-digit heat with no shade, minimal air conditioning, structural problems with the main arch leaking sealant, and only one functional ride.
- Officials temporarily closed the Great American State Fair due to life-threatening heat conditions, despite the event being funded with $68 million in taxpayer money.
- Trump's primary concern has been crowd size rather than attendee safety, becoming infuriated by aerial photos showing small turnout and ordering officials to delete the images.
- Trump took control of the celebration from a bipartisan commission called America 250 that had been planning the event since 2016, citing condensed timeline as justification.
- White House officials privately questioned the decision to hold the outdoor event during extreme heat, with one stating they did not understand why it was scheduled so late in the day.
- House Republicans have introduced legislation to add Trump's face to Mount Rushmore while the administration's state fair continues to endanger citizens.