The annual Patriots Day Freedom Fest in Kentucky has been cancelled after only six $1,000 VIP tickets were sold, far below the organizer’s goal of about 100. The event was planned for September 26 and was expected to feature musician Kid Rock and reality TV personality Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman. Organizers had hoped the VIP ticket sales would cover the costs of the event, which would be free for general attendees. Eric Deters, a MAGA (Make America Great Again) influencer and organizer of the festival, criticized his wealthy contacts for not purchasing tickets, calling them out for not supporting the cause. Deters, who previously hosted high-profile conservative figures like Candace Owens, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., said he was frustrated by the lack of financial support from his connections. In a video posted online, he expressed his anger, saying he had done “countless favors” for these individuals, only to be ignored or given excuses like being “traveling” and having “no phone.” He also made it clear that he would never again offer help to those who failed to support the event financially. In a slightly self-reflective moment, Deters acknowledged that he now lives in a wealthy home and admitted that he is not like the other rich people he criticized. However, he argued that money is not the most important thing, and that the real value lies in fighting for a cause and helping others. He emphasized that the event was about more than profit, and that the failure to fund it was not due to a lack of public interest, but rather the inability to secure financial backing from his connections. Deters has vowed never to organize the Freedom Fest again, calling the experience a “failure” and expressing frustration that the media had portrayed it as such. In a follow-up video, he defended the event, clarifying that the issue was not a lack of support from the public, but rather the need for funding. He emphasized that the event would have been free for attendees and that the problem was simply covering the costs. The cancellation has sparked online discussions and media coverage, with many focusing on the intersection of politics, influence, and event funding.