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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\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Trump said in a post on Truth Social<\/a> Saturday afternoon. \u201cCancel it.\u201d<\/p>\n In an earlier post<\/a>, Trump suggested he should \u201ctake the place of these highly paid, Third Rate \u2018Artists,\u2019 and give a major speech.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedom 250, a group established by the Trump administration to organize events honoring the anniversary, later confirmed that the president will headline the fair\u2019s opening ceremony.<\/p>\n According to organizers, the two-week fair on the National Mall, which begins June 25, will \u201cbring together all 56 U.S. states and territories in a World Fair-style celebration,\u201d featuring \u201clive entertainment, immersive exhibits, patriotic tributes, innovation showcases, cultural programming, and family-friendly attractions.\u201d Each day throughout the fair will have its own theme<\/a>, including \u201cHeritage & Legacy,\u201d \u201cHorsepower of America\u201d and \u201cMAHA Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n Last week, Freedom 250unveiled the \u201cfirst wave\u201d of performers<\/a>, 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; \u201990s hitmakers Bret Michaels and C+C Music Factory; and the pop duo Milli Vanilli.<\/p>\n Here is what each artist has said.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to talk to you and clear the air,\u201d McBride said in a lengthy statement posted to social media on Thursday<\/a>. \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,\u201d she explained. \u201cYesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n Michaels, the former lead singer of rock band Poison, posted a similar message on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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,\u201d 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.\u00a0\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cConcerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,\u201d Michaels continued. \u201cBecause of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t about politics,\u201d he added. \u201cBut as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n The rapper, best known for his 1989 hit \u201cBust a Move,\u201d said he was pulling out after learning that the event was \u201cTrump-backed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,\u201d he posted on Facebook<\/a>. \u201cThe artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.\u201d<\/p>\n Young MC, whose real name is Marvin Young, added that he hoped to perform in Washington, D.C., \u201cin the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.\u201d<\/p>\n The legendary funk and soul band announced it would not be performing in a brief post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,\u201d the group said. \u201cWe support the betterment of all Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n The R&B singer said on social media<\/a> that, \u201ccontrary to rumor,\u201d he and his band would not be performing, but did not give a reason.<\/p>\n Singer Jodie Rocco, who \u2014 along with her twin sister Linda Rocco \u2014 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.<\/p>\n “My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli,’ as one of the performers,” Rocco told the outlet.<\/p>\n In a subsequent press release<\/a>, the singers confirmed that they would not be performing, and that anyone using the name Milli Vanilli on the bill \u201cshould be considered a tribute band.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Morvan said in a statement on Thursday that he would, in fact, be performing at the fair.<\/p>\n \u201cI am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,\u201d Morvan said. \u201cLet\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that he is looking forward to being able to \u201cfinally sing Milli Vanilli songs live in person!\u201d<\/p>\n Freedom Williams, the lone remaining original member of C+C Music Factory, posted a lengthy, expletive-filled video to Instagram<\/a> that left his willingness to participate unclear.<\/p>\n In a video posted to TikTok<\/a> from a residential construction site, the \u201cIce Ice Baby\u201d singer said he was \u201csuper honored to do this concert with everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s all about enjoying the great times of 250 years, man, from George Washington until now, and all the presidents and everybody in between,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is a magical event.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cLow\u201d singer has not formally commented on his participation in the event, but he has responded to Instagram commenters<\/a> questioning his involvement with laughing emojis.<\/p>\nMartina McBride<\/h2>\n
Bret Michaels<\/h2>\n
Young MC<\/h2>\n
The Commodores<\/h2>\n
Morris Day and the Time<\/h2>\n
Milli Vanilli<\/h2>\n
C+C Music Factory<\/h2>\n
Vanilla Ice<\/h2>\n
Flo Rida<\/h2>\n
What is Freedom 250?<\/h2>\n