A MAGA live-streamer dressed as Uncle Sam has been arrested at President Donald Trump's Great American State Fair after multiple witnesses reported him to police.
Gian Rachtelli, 54, was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon and charged with lewd, indecent or obscene acts after three people independently described what they believed was a sexual act taking place during a Cirque Mechanics performance.
The arrest is the latest controversy to engulf Trump's taxpayer-funded Great American State Fair, an event already facing criticism over performer cancellations, sparse crowds and eye-watering food prices.
Police body camera footage captured the incident, although the responding officer noted in the report that it had not yet been reviewed before the report was completed.
According to the document, officers were dispatched to the National Mall at approximately 3:50pm after another law enforcement agency working the fair said witnesses had reported a man 'doing inappropriate things during a performance.'
When US Park Police officers arrived behind one of the performance stages, they found Rachtelli being detained by officers.
The report states officers interviewed three witnesses before determining there was probable cause to arrest him.
'He returned for the second show, and I saw him with his hand in his pants likely doing what we all thought he was doing,' one witness told police in a voluntary statement.
Gian Rachtelli, 54, was arrested and charged with lewd, indecent or obscene acts following an incident at Donald Trump's Great American State Fair on the National Mall
Visitors walk at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Social media users mocked the fair's reported attendance, with one commenter joking there were so few people that 'everyone gets their own individual porta potty'
A second witness told investigators that a female member of the acrobat team had approached them after becoming concerned.
'I was approached by a female member of the acrobat team who had noticed an older white male that was making her & other female performer uncomfortable,' the witness wrote.
'They informed me that they noticed him making lewd gestures in his pants (as if he was attempting to/masturbating) while they were performing.'
A third witness told officers they had been standing behind Rachtelli during the performance.
'I was witnessing the Cirque Mechanics performance on June 25 2026 at the Great American State Fair,' the witness wrote.
'He was vaping and filming the female performers. He then stuck his right hand down his pants and it moved back-and-forth approximately six times very uncomfortable, in what appeared to be self pleasure or masturbation.'
Based on those witness statements, police charged Rachtelli with one count of lewd, indecent or obscene acts.
The incident report does not include any statement from Rachtelli responding to the allegations.
Rachtelli has been identified online by supporters as the MAGA live-streamer known as 'Manny,' whose live-stream ended shortly before police detained him
According to a US Park Police report, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Rachtelli after interviewing three separate witnesses
Critics on social media described photographs of the fair as showing sparse crowds throughout the opening days of the 16-day event
Rachtelli has been identified online by supporters as the MAGA live-streamer known as 'Manny,' who had been broadcasting live from the event earlier in the day.
Video from his livestream appears to end abruptly as police officers approached him. No audio from the interaction was captured, and Rachtelli has not posted on his account since.
Supporters quickly rallied to his defense online, disputing the allegations.
'False Report. Unfair Report. Wrongful Detention. Free Manny!' one X user wrote.
On Reddit, another supporter wrote: 'I'm standing by Manny 100%. He didn't do this. He was live streaming the entire time, and the footage shows what happened before his arrest.'
'From everything I've seen, this appears to be an attempt to destroy his reputation, damage his livelihood, and silence someone because of his political views.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Rachtelli seeking comment.
His arrest comes as Trump's Great American State Fair continues to generate headlines for reasons beyond its patriotic celebrations.
The 16-day event on Washington's National Mall was launched Wednesday with a rally by Trump to kick off America's 250th anniversary festivities.
Visitors pose for a photo at the 'Great American State Fair' on the National Mall. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States
The Hawaii and Alaska state exhibits share a space during the opening of The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
A rodeo performer removes a painters' template from a horse during at the fair
Another social media user described the event as a 'pathetic attempt at a 250 yr celebration' in response to photos from the fair that showed a particularly low attendance
Trump opened the Great American State Fair by declaring, 'We are beginning the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen'
'We are beginning the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen,' Trump told supporters.
'This evening, it's my honor to officially kick off the celebration with the Great American State Fair.'
The president also declared: 'America is back.'
But the fair has struggled to shake criticism from opponents and even some visitors.
Before opening day, several high-profile performers, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Morris Day & The Time and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, withdrew after learning of the event's ties to the Trump administration.
Trump ultimately headlined the opening ceremony himself after much of the original entertainment lineup unraveled.
Visitors have also complained about steep food prices, with chicken tenders and fries selling for $16, chicken on a stick priced at $19 and a bucket of fries costing $12.
Others mocked photographs showing what they described as low attendance and scaled-back attractions.
After visiting the event, Washington, D.C., Councilmember Christina Henderson posted on X with her own review.
The sun sets behind a replica of the planned Triumphal Arch and the 110-foot 'Freedom 250' ferris wheel
Much of the online criticism centered on claims that the event relied more heavily on patriotic displays than traditional state fair attractions
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 25: Visitors are seen from a ferris wheel as they attend the fair
A cowboy rides a top a horse during a rodeo at the Great American State Fair
A performer displays rope tricks in a paddock at the Great American State Fair
'Went to the Great American State 'Fair' yesterday so you don't have to. Not a funnel cake, corn dog, bucket lemonade, or fried Snickers in sight. The only ride is the Ferris Wheel. It's not that kind of state fair, y'all. Saxophones were not added to this recording.'
The post prompted a flood of reactions.
'What a pathetic attempt at a 250 yr celebration! SAD!' one user replied.
Another also seemed appalled at the quality of the production given the momentous anniversary. 'Shame on you. You live in the greatest country in the world,' they tweeted.
Other social media users also poked fun at photographs from the fair, with one writing: 'So few people in attendance at the Great American State Fair that everyone gets their own individual porta potty.'
Another commenter mocked images of the food area by writing: 'that's... a food hall? It looks like a f***ing refugee tent!'
'Food hall at Great American State Fair has lost power - they have food but tell me all their ice cream has melted,' a separate post claimed.
Another user quipped: 'I mean they can still offer algae toast the non woke breakfast,' referencing the recent controversy surrounding algae in the Reflecting Pool.
The fair, organized as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations, is scheduled to run through July 10 with exhibits representing all 50 states and six US territories, alongside concerts, demonstrations and themed events.
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