President Trump on Saturday floated the idea of canceling all the musical performances at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after several musicians pulled out of the event, which has been described as a birthday bash to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Earlier Saturday, Freedom 250, the organization behind the event, had announced that Mr. Trump would “kick off” the state fair on June 24 with an opening ceremony.
“As the visionary behind the Great American State Fair, we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24 in an opening ceremony celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” said Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for Freedom 250.
In a social media post later Saturday, Mr. Trump said he would look into holding an “America is Back” rally at the state fair where he would “give a major speech, rallying the Country forward.”
“I understand Artists are getting ‘the yips’ having to do with their performance,” Mr. Trump wrote, adding that he was thinking of replacing “these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists'” with himself, “the man who some say is the Greatest President in History.”
Then on Saturday night, Mr. Trump took to his Truth Social platform again to suggest that there be no musicians at all at the state fair.
“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,” Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday night, adding that he believed they should “cancel” the state fair.
Freedom 250 announced a slate of artists last week to perform at a series of concerts on the National Mall from June 24 to July 10. But shortly after its announcement, many of the artists canceled, citing concerns that the event would be too political in nature.
Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, the Commodores, Martina McBride and Bret Michaels have all announced they would not be participating.
Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, C+C Music Factory rapper Freedom Williams and Flo Rida are still scheduled to perform.
Freedom 250 has said the initiative is nonpartisan and should be treated as such.
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