Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestylePhotographs and video from the event contradicted Trump's claim, showing a much smaller turnout and attendees leaving while he was still speaking (AFP via Getty Images)Donald Trump claimed 45,000 people attended his speech at the 'America 250' event on Washington's National Mall, stating the crowd was 'packed to the brim'. Photographs and video from the event contradicted Trump's claim, showing a much smaller turnout and attendees leaving while he was still speaking. Media outlets provided lower estimates, with The Washington Post describing a 'thinly covered' area and NBC News estimating 'more than 1,000' attendees. The taxpayer-funded 'America 250' event, intended as a patriotic celebration, has taken on a distinctly Trumpian character, featuring MAGA merchandise and branding. Several pop stars and country singers withdrew from performing at the event, citing concerns about its partisan nature, and some Democratic-led states declined to participate in the state pavilions. In fullTrump boasts about crowd size and claims 45,000 people attended his State Fair speech – with no evidenceThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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Is Trump trying to convince us, or himself?