President Trump suggested over the weekend that organizers cancel all musical performances for the upcoming Great American State Fair after most of the announced artists pulled out of the event, which is one of several planned by the administration to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
“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 said in a post on Truth Social Saturday afternoon. “Cancel it.”
In an earlier post, Trump suggested he should “take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists,’ and give a major speech.”
Freedom 250, a group established by the Trump administration to organize events honoring the anniversary, later confirmed that the president will headline the fair’s opening ceremony.
According to organizers, the two-week fair on the National Mall, which begins June 25, will “bring together all 56 U.S. states and territories in a World Fair-style celebration,” featuring “live entertainment, immersive exhibits, patriotic tributes, innovation showcases, cultural programming, and family-friendly attractions.” Each day throughout the fair will have its own theme, including “Heritage & Legacy,” “Horsepower of America” and “MAHA Monday.”
Last week, Freedom 250unveiled the “first wave” of performers, including country singer Martina McBride; rappers Vanilla Ice, Young MC and Flo Rida; legendary funk and soul band the Commodores; R&B singer Morris Day; ’90s hitmakers Bret Michaels and C+C Music Factory; and the pop duo Milli Vanilli.
Here is what each artist has said.
Martina McBride
“I would like to talk to you and clear the air,” McBride said in a lengthy statement posted to social media on Thursday. “I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.
“I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,” she explained. “Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
Bret Michaels
Michaels, the former lead singer of rock band Poison, posted a similar message on Instagram.
“When this opportunity was originally presented to my team, it was described as a celebration of country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life,” Michaels wrote. “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. “
“Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,” Michaels continued. “Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.
“This isn’t about politics,” he added. “But as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.”
Young MC
The rapper, best known for his 1989 hit “Bust a Move,” said he was pulling out after learning that the event was “Trump-backed.”
“I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,” he posted on Facebook. “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.”
Young MC, whose real name is Marvin Young, added that he hoped to perform in Washington, D.C., “in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”
The Commodores
The legendary funk and soul band announced it would not be performing in a brief post on X.
“Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,” the group said. “We support the betterment of all Americans.”
Morris Day and the Time
The R&B singer said on social media that, “contrary to rumor,” he and his band would not be performing, but did not give a reason.
Milli Vanilli
Singer Jodie Rocco, who — along with her twin sister Linda Rocco — was one of the original studio vocalists behind Milli Vanilli, told the Associated Press that neither she nor any other member of the group had been asked to perform.
“My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli,’ as one of the performers,” Rocco told the outlet.
In a subsequent press release, the singers confirmed that they would not be performing, and that anyone using the name Milli Vanilli on the bill “should be considered a tribute band.”
Milli Vanilli won a Grammy Award in 1990, but it was rescinded after it was revealed that the duo, Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan, were only lip-syncing. Pilatus died in 1998 of an accidental drug overdose, leaving Morvan as the lone surviving frontman.
Morvan said in a statement on Thursday that he would, in fact, be performing at the fair.
“I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan said. “Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of the Great American State Fair as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”
He added that he is looking forward to being able to “finally sing Milli Vanilli songs live in person!”
C+C Music Factory
Freedom Williams, the lone remaining original member of C+C Music Factory, posted a lengthy, expletive-filled video to Instagram that left his willingness to participate unclear.
Vanilla Ice
In a video posted to TikTok from a residential construction site, the “Ice Ice Baby” singer said he was “super honored to do this concert with everybody.”
“It’s all about enjoying the great times of 250 years, man, from George Washington until now, and all the presidents and everybody in between,” he said. “This is a magical event.”
Flo Rida
The “Low” singer has not formally commented on his participation in the event, but he has responded to Instagram commenters questioning his involvement with laughing emojis.
What is Freedom 250?
Two weeks into his second term, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.
Since then, there has been a flurry of announcements detailing events that will take place throughout the year to honor the occasion, including the Great American State Fair, a high-speed IndyCar race that will pass by the White House and a UFC mixed martial arts fighting event on the South Lawn.
In December, the Trump administration announced Freedom 250, a “national, non-partisan” group that would help plan the events surrounding the country’s anniversary.
Julia Friedland, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, pushed back against claims by the artists that the fair would be partisan.
“It is inherently nonpolitical. It is a celebration of our country,” Friedland said in an interview with The Hill on Friday. “I don’t think there’s anything partisan about America being around for 250 years.”
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