A concert series tied to President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative has been thrown into turmoil after most of its announced performers withdrew within days of being unveiled, with several artists saying they were not told about the event’s political connections when they agreed to participate.
The concerts are part of the Great American State Fair, a planned celebration on Washington’s National Mall tied to preparations for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Within 48 hours of the lineup announcement, artists including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day, the Commodores, and others publicly backed away from the event. Several said they believed they had been invited to perform at a nonpartisan patriotic celebration and learned later of its association with Trump and the Freedom 250 organization.
“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” McBride wrote in a public statement announcing her withdrawal.
The Commodores also issued a statement.
“Our music has always been our voice, and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,” the group known for songs such as the 1977 hits “Easy” and “Brick House.”
Young MC said artists “were never told about any political involvement with the event.”
Bret Michaels, who had initially agreed to participate, said he believed the concert would honor veterans, first responders, teachers and other Americans. He later withdrew after concerns grew about the political controversy surrounding the event.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,” Michaels wrote in a statement announcing his withdrawal. “Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
The departures left organizers facing a major setback. Reports indicate that at least seven of the nine originally announced acts either canceled, distanced themselves from the event, or publicly objected to being associated with it.
Trump responded by attacking the artists on social media, referring to them as “third-rate artists” and suggesting he could replace the concert series with a political rally featuring himself as the main attraction. He later proposed a rally instead of a concert, and indicated he may personally headline portions of the celebration.
“We should have a giant Make America Great Again rally for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” Trump wrote. “Cancel it.”
The controversy has expanded beyond the performer withdrawals. Questions have also surfaced about donor transparency and the event’s description as nonpartisan. During a CNN appearance, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the celebration but acknowledged that it had taken on political overtones after the withdrawals and Trump’s public comments.
Despite the growing controversy and now even Trump reportedly requesting canceling the event, organizers say the Great American State Fair will continue as planned from June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall. Remaining performers include Vanilla Ice and several other acts that have not withdrawn.
“The only reason the artists [are bailing] out is because Donald Trump is making it political rather than about a 250 anniversary of America,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “If he had nothing to do with it and was not president, you would get some of the best performers in America performing.”
