Thanks, but no thanks.
The administration of Gov. Ned Lamont is sticking to its decision to not participate in President Donald Trump’s 16-day “Great American State Fair,” despite the late offer of $100,000 in private funding to underwrite a Connecticut pavilion.
“It’s a genuinely kind offer, but it’s too late,” said Cathryn Vaulman, the governor’s spokeswoman.
At least 10 states are not participating, including every New England state except New Hampshire, according to Newsweek and other media outlets. The written offer of $100,000 came Wednesday.
RP Scelzo, a retired businessman, made the offer on behalf of 10 anonymous donors each pledging $10,000 after reading that cost was a reason for Connecticut skipping the fair tied to the America 250th celebration on the National Mall.
“With funding no longer an obstacle, Connecticut should join other states in showcasing our history, innovation, culture and contributions to the nation on this national stage,” Scelzo said.
Scelzo, a Republican, acknowledged a political side to his offer: He doubted that money was the Lamont administration’s only reason for skipping the Trump event.
“Blaming the $100,000 cost on our not attending just didn’t cut it for me,” he said.
Vaulman said the administration made the decision not to go before the Great American State Fair became a partisan battleground, with musicians recruited to perform there backing out.
Estimates on the cost changed, with Massachusetts officials saying it would be closer to $200,000, and the state also was informed of additional fees for trucks bringing materials to the mall, she said.
“It was an ever-growing figure,” she said.
Scelzo was not surprised Friday by the rejection nor particularly disappointed. His offer, he said, was at least in part motivated by a desire to show that money was not the only reason for skipping Trump’s fair.
“That was my goal — to expose their hypocrisy,” he said of the Lamont administration.
Trump opened the fair with speech that could have been delivered at a campaign rally. It included jabs at his predecessor.
“The American dream is alive again,” Trump said. “That’s something that nobody thought they’d be saying when you went through that last four years of incompetence.”
In fact, the president referred to it as a rally on social media. He also disputed media reports of the crowd’s size.
“Last night’s Rally was packed — 45,000 people. July 4th will be a step beyond anything you’ve ever seen,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, which does have a pavilion at the fair. “The Military flyovers will be the best, EVER — The most planes, the newest planes, the fastest planes! I’ll be there to speak about how Great our Country is and, Making America Great Again!
