MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota State Fair Crop Artwork Removed After Artist Reports Harassment and Threats

The politically charged “8647” entry was taken down at the artist's request after images of the piece spread widely online.

FALCON HEIGHTS, MN (September 2, 2026) A politically charged crop-art entry at the Minnesota State Fair was removed after its creator requested that fair officials take it down amid reports of harassment and threats.

The artwork displayed the numbers “8647” using agricultural materials.

The number combination has been used by some opponents of President Donald Trump, combining the slang expression “86,” which can mean to remove or get rid of something, with Trump's status as the 47th president.

Images of the entry circulated widely online after it was displayed in the State Fair crop-art competition.

The controversy quickly expanded beyond debate over the artwork itself.

People familiar with the situation said the artist became the target of threats and had personal information circulated online.

The artist subsequently asked State Fair officials to remove the piece.

The fair complied.

Crop artists interviewed following the episode described the removal under those circumstances as highly unusual for a competition known for entries that sometimes contain political satire and commentary.

The controversy has generated sharply different interpretations.

Critics of the artwork have argued that “8647” can be interpreted as threatening the president. Others maintain that the phrase was being used politically to mean removing Trump from office rather than advocating physical harm.

The fair did not initially remove the entry because of its political message. It came down after the artist requested its removal amid the harassment controversy.

The episode has consequently become as much a story about political expression, online harassment and personal safety as about State Fair crop art itself.

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