A conservative social media influencer with thousands of followers was arrested and charged with lewd conduct during an acrobatic performance at President Trump’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall, according to U.S. Park Police documents obtained by media outlets.

Details of the Arrest

Gian Rachtelli, 54, who livestreams under the name ‘Manny’ to nearly 14,000 followers, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after three separate witnesses reported inappropriate behavior during a Cirque Mechanics performance. According to police documents, witnesses observed Rachtelli filming female acrobats while vaping, then placing his hand inside his pants during the show. A second witness reported seeing him return for another performance and repeat the behavior.

National Guard personnel working security at the State Fair received a report from a member of the acrobatic troupe, who stated that an older white male was making performers uncomfortable by making lewd gestures while they performed on stage. Officers detained Rachtelli, who was wearing an Uncle Sam costume and overalls, behind one of the performing stages around 3:50 p.m. before calling Park Police for assistance.

Investigation and Charges

Sergeant Nielsen, the primary arresting officer, interviewed multiple witnesses at the scene. Police determined sufficient probable cause existed to arrest Rachtelli on charges of lewd, indecent and obscene acts. He was transported to the Park Police District 1 station in Southeast Washington for processing. The incident was captured on Park Police body-worn cameras, though footage was not reviewed before the initial report per department policy.

Rachtelli’s final livestream from Thursday showed him walking through the fairgrounds in his Uncle Sam costume before the video abruptly cut off as police officers approached. He has not posted online since the arrest. A Park Police spokesperson confirmed officers responded to a National Guard report concerning a subject involved in lewd acts and indecent exposure at the location.

What This Means

The incident raises questions about security protocols at high-profile presidential events on federal property. Some supporters quickly claimed the arrest was politically motivated, though police documents indicate multiple independent witnesses and performer complaints led to the detention. Rachtelli regularly broadcasts from Trump rallies and right-wing demonstrations, maintaining about 2,000 YouTube subscribers alongside his social media following. The case demonstrates how behavior at family-oriented events can result in federal charges when occurring on National Park Service property.