Pro-Trump Livestreamer Arrested for Alleged Lewd Act at State Fair
Incident at the Great American State Fair
A supporter of former President Donald Trump, known for livestreaming pro-MAGA events, has been taken into custody after police accused him of engaging in a lewd act while attending a circus show at the Great American State Fair in Washington DC. Gian Rachtelli, 54, faces charges of "lewd, indecent, or obscene acts" following reports from three witnesses who claimed to have observed what they interpreted as a sexual act during a performance by an all-female acrobatic group. Rachtelli, who is recognized online as the livestreamer "Manny," has not made any public statements regarding the allegations.
According to police reports, the incident allegedly occurred during a performance by Cirque Mechanics on the fair's opening day. One witness recounted seeing a man vaping and filming the female performers before he reportedly placed his hand inside his trousers, which they believed to be a sexual act. Another witness confirmed seeing him return for a subsequent performance, stating, "I saw him with his hand in his pants, likely doing what we all thought he was doing." A third witness mentioned that a member of the acrobatic troupe approached them, expressing discomfort and stating, "They informed me that they noticed him making lewd gestures in his pants while they were performing."
DC activist Brianne Chapman, known online as "Anarchy Princess," reported that Rachtelli was dressed in an Uncle Sam costume at the time of his arrest. He was livestreaming the event when police approached him, and the broadcast ended abruptly as officers neared. No audio of the interaction was recorded, and he has not updated his social media since the incident. Supporters have come to his defense online, questioning the validity of the allegations. One user on X stated, "False Report. Unfair Report. Wrongful Detention. Free Manny!" Another supporter on Reddit expressed unwavering support, claiming, "He didn't do this. He was live streaming the entire time, and the footage shows what happened before his arrest." This post further suggested that the allegations were an attempt to tarnish his reputation due to his political beliefs.
Authorities have yet to respond to these claims. This arrest adds to the controversies surrounding the taxpayer-funded Great American State Fair, which is part of the Trump administration's America 250 celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of US independence. Prior to the event, several performers, including Martina McBride and Young MC, withdrew after discovering the fair's association with the Trump administration, leading to a scaled-back entertainment lineup. President Trump himself headlined the opening event, stating, "America is back," and emphasizing the nation's global respect.