WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump stated on social media on Thursday that attendees remained for the entirety of his 28-minute speech inaugurating the Great American State Fair. "Everyone stayed until the end of my speech because they loved hearing about a truly successful United States," Trump posted.

The event took place on Wednesday at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A video published by The Bulwark showed dozens of people departing approximately 17 minutes into the president's speech. CNN chief correspondent Donie O'Sullivan reported seeing hundreds of individuals heading toward the exits while the president was speaking.

O'Sullivan stated that some attendees informed him they had come to the event for military aircraft flyovers that occurred before the speech. The Great American State Fair was officially non-partisan and commemorated the country's 250th anniversary.

Media outlets reported on early departures from Trump events during 2024. The Detroit Free Press reported that the audience at a Michigan event in autumn 2024 visibly decreased as his 85-minute speech continued. The New York Times reported that a steady stream of attendees began heading for the exit five minutes after his speech started at a North Carolina event in late 2024. The Washington Post reported that dozens of people left many Trump events early in 2024, and hundreds, if not thousands, left an Atlanta event early that same year. The Guardian reported that approximately three out of ten people left a Georgia event early in autumn 2024.