Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA portion of the main stage for the July 4th Freedom 250 celebration collapsed during a rehearsal, nearly striking performers. Footage shows dancers narrowly avoiding injury as a piece of the overhead structure detached and fell onto the stage. The incident adds to ongoing issues with the multi-day state fair, which has faced complaints about low attendance, poor organization and delayed infrastructure. Critics have accused the administration of hijacking the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations for a partisan, campaign-style event, leading to musical acts pulling out and Democratic-led states declining participation. Reports indicate that low public interest and sparse crowds at the fair have angered President Donald Trump, prompting organizers to plan ticket distribution to ensure a full viewing section for his upcoming address. In fullTrump’s Freedom 250 stage falls apart while dancers rehearse on it — with one piece narrowly missing a performerMore bulletinsThank 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

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestylePresident Donald Trump reportedly became…

A piece of the stage broke off during a rehearsal, appearing to nearly hit some performers.

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Video from the rehearsal shows a group of dancers freezing mid-routine as a piece from the top of the structure detaches and slams onto the stage

The stage fell apart on a rehearsal stage in the National Mall in Washington ahead of Donald Trump's Freedom250 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of America.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA portion of the main stage for the July 4th…

Meanwhile, Democrats released a report accusing Trump of taking over America’s 250th anniversary celebrations for his own gain and creating a “blueprint for corruption”.