Donald Trump's long-awaited Great American State Fair was meant to launch a patriotic countdown to America's 250th birthday. Instead, visitors were greeted by thin crowds, technical mishaps and growing online ridicule.
Images of largely empty walkways quickly spread across social media, while reports of melted ice cream following a power failure only added to the embarrassment. For an event promoted as a grand national celebration, the opening days painted a very different picture and raised fresh questions about public enthusiasm for Trump's signature project.
