Confederate flag at NC's Great American State Fair pavilion removed

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

June 27, 2026, 4:23 p.m. ET


A Confederate flag that appeared on a video display inside the North Carolina booth at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall has been removed, a spokesperson from North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's office has confirmed to USA TODAY.

The video was removed on June 26 after the booth had monitors showing the current North Carolina state flag, but also had video displays showing split screens of the state flag and the Confederate flag. The display gained attention after a Spectrum News reporter highlighted it on social media.

The North Carolina booth, which is not an official state-sponsored exhibit, is a part of the Great American State Fair, an event celebrating the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary on July 4. Freedom 250, the President Donald Trump-aligned nonprofit organizing the fair, have billed it as "a modern-day World’s Fair celebrating the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that make America the greatest nation on Earth."

A spokesperson for Stein told USA TODAY in a June 27 emailed statement that the video display of the flags did not represent North Carolina. The spokesperson added that a member of the governor's team spoke with event organizers and that part of the display was removed.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usa250/2026/06/27/confederate-flag-nc-great-american-state-fair-booth/90722534007/

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Reuben Jones
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Jun 26, 2026
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I stopped by the North Carolina booth at the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall today.

The state decided not to participate because of the high costs so the booth is sponsored by private orgs.
Reuben Jones
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A spokesperson for the booth says the flag shown was “unapproved” and…

“As soon as we were made aware, we immediately removed the video and began reviewing how it occurred. Our focus remains on celebrating America’s 250th birthday and NC’s role in our nation’s history.”

More: spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/n…
spectrumlocalnews.com
Confederate flag displayed at N.C. exhibit at America's State Fair
A flag featured in the North Carolina exhibit at America’s State Fair on Washington’s National Mall is drawing some unwanted attention.
7:23 PM · Jun 26, 2026

[Botany]

1. Nobody puts up "the Stars and Bars" by accident or does not know what it represents.

So somebody or somebodies connected to the State of North Carolina are proud racists and
161 years after the south lost the war still don’t understand that slavery was wrong. Whoever
put that up should be fired from any state job today.

The election of Obama as President triggered the racism that lives in at least 25% of Americans.

[yardwork]

5. This booth was not sanctioned by the state of North Carolina.

Our liberal Drmocrstic governor declined to participate in this fiasco, and our extreme right wing Republican state legislature refused to appropriate funds for it.

You could say it was a bipartisan repudiation of this ridiculous event.

NASCAR and some other local businesses took over the booth. They put up the images of the Confederate flag.

[Botany]

6. Thank you.

N/t

[yardwork]

7. Thank you for your kind response.

[Botany]

8. From the greatest movie of all time, Harvey

“In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.”
― Elwood P. Dowd

[mnhtnbb]

2. Buried the lede

The State of North Carolina had nothing to do with the booth, because it decided NOT to participate in the event.

North Carolina turns down invitation to participate in "Great American State Fair" | WUNC News https://share.google/RcMrsASfinosooZYT

A bunch of privately funded racist bigots not sanctioned by the State put the booth together.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. It"s not buried in the article though

The North Carolina booth, which is not an official state-sponsored exhibit

[mnhtnbb]

10. It's in the third paragraph of the USA article

that the booth was not state sanctioned.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. The first "paragraph" is one sentence

The 2nd paragraph is *2* sentences and then the mention appears.

IMHO "buried" would be down in middle or at the bottom of the article and I have seen far too many buried ledes and this isn't really it.

I.e., if they left that out at the beginning and forced you to go way down further to confirm -

(snip)

State of North Carolina did not sponsor a booth at fair

The state of North Carolina decided not to sponsor a booth at the fair, citing costs, the governor's spokesperson told USA TODAY. But some North Carolina-based companies, including SPEVCO, Richard Childress Racing, Operation Helo and Mt. Olive Pickle Company, stepped in to sponsor the state's pavilion, according to the governor's office and published reports.

(snip(

then I would agree. But it was mentioned right near the beginning.

[twodogsbarking]

3. Tear them all down. Be safe though. Those people are dangerous idiots.

[70sEraVet]

9. The Governor should have insisted that the booth be shut down.

It was obviously set up by people who are not capable of reflecting the state's values.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. That bullshit "fair" was not something part of the original "America 250" events

It is the MAGat "Freedom 250" thing, and the MAGats claimed they would staff some exhibit for every state.

[hoosierspud]

13. Nothing says "Patriotism"

Like flying the flag of insurrectionists who started a civil war.

[mnhtnbb]

14. The State of North Carolina

had nothing to do with that booth. Governor Stein is a Democrat, and the decision from the Governor's office was to decline to participate in the orange a$$hole's "Fair".
Those of us who live in North Carolina know Stein wanted nothing to do with Trump's fair, for obvious reasons. The budget was an excuse.
The USA Today article doesn't tell the whole story, and if you only read the headline, you'd think the Governor was unaware of exhibits included in an official display of the State of North Carolina.

Fu*k USA Today and Fu*k highlighting this article on DU.