Trump 250 Gala Takes Humiliating New Turn as More States Pull Out

Pennsylvania Declines Participation in Federal 250th Anniversary Event; Eight Other States Also Opt Out

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated in an interview that the state will not take part in a planned federal event marking the country’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall. The event, referred to by the Trump administration as the Great American State Fair, has drawn non-participation from at least nine states as of June 2026.

Shapiro said Pennsylvania’s decision followed consultations with businesses across the state, conducted with assistance from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. According to Shapiro, none of the contacted companies expressed interest in involvement. He noted that participation would have required an expenditure of approximately $700,000 in state funds, which the administration instead plans to direct toward separate commemorations held within Pennsylvania.

The New York Times had previously reported that Pennsylvania was known to be withdrawing, while CNN and NOTUS indicated the state remained undecided at the time of their reporting. Shapiro’s confirmation establishes the withdrawal as final. Pennsylvania becomes the first state that has changed party control in recent presidential elections to announce its non-participation. The other states reported as withdrawing are Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and North Carolina.

Shapiro described the federal event as one that has become partisan. “This president routinely makes patriotism partisan and personal—and it shouldn’t be that way,” he said. He added that the state’s choice reflects a broader pattern in which businesses have chosen not to engage. Shapiro also stated that the anniversary should focus on collective national identity rather than any single individual.

Pennsylvania supported Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections. Shapiro, first elected governor in 2022, has maintained approval ratings that include support from roughly one-quarter of Republican voters in available polling through early 2026. He is seeking reelection in 2026 against a Republican opponent.

In the same interview, Shapiro discussed other policy positions. He has opposed federal plans by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for large-scale detention facilities in central Pennsylvania and has maintained state policies that limit cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. He has also highlighted potential effects of federal policy changes on state residents, citing figures from his office that tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians face possible loss of food assistance and more than 100,000 face possible loss of health coverage, with over half of those affected residing in counties won by Trump in 2024. An additional 300,000 people could lose Medicaid coverage in the following year, according to the same estimates.

Shapiro said his administration’s approach emphasizes delivering state-level services while communicating directly with voters about federal policy impacts. He stated that the decision on the anniversary event was driven by business input and cost considerations rather than a broader rejection of the federal administration.

The federal event has also seen limited participation from some musical performers, though specific numbers and names have not been detailed in public reporting. Shapiro indicated that Pennsylvania will proceed with its own commemorative activities funded by the redirected state allocation.

Shapiro’s statements on the anniversary event and related policies occur against the backdrop of ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about strategies for retaining or regaining support in states that voted for Trump. Data on Republican voter support for Shapiro remains limited to periodic surveys, with the most recent available figures showing continued backing near one-quarter of that group.