Massachusetts, You Are To Blame

The Cut Sheet rolls into the 8 AM hour with the Pennsylvania booth fight still front and center. Nick, Dawn, Shawn, and Harry argue that Shapiro’s refusal to participate in the Great American State Fair is politically revealing, while Fetterman and McCormick’s bipartisan save gives Pennsylvania a display without taxpayer money. The crew connects the controversy to a broader question about Democrat governors, patriotism, and whether Shapiro is trying to protect his standing with the party’s left flank ahead of 2028. The conversation then turns to Wes Moore, socialist primary wins, and the way some Democrats try to dodge labels while the party’s activist base keeps pushing farther left. Dawn points out that Maryland is going big for America 250 while Pennsylvania initially sits out, which makes Shapiro’s decision look even worse. From there, the show shifts to a German World Cup fan who breaks down in tears after experiencing American kindness, giving the crew a chance to push back against the constant foreign and legacy-media narrative that America is dangerous, cold, or cruel. Philadelphia’s delayed Fourth of July fireworks become the next fight, as the crew reacts to complaints after the show finally goes off around 2:30 AM following storms. Nick questions why ordinary city chaos draws less outrage than late fireworks, while Dawn explains the real weather risks and cost of rescheduling. The hour closes with JD Vance on Bill Maher, where the crew discusses immigration raids, deportation messaging, worksite enforcement, border apprehensions, and Maher saying his 2028 vote is in play.