'Cancel it', Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival

Following the withdrawal of most headlining artists from the White House-linked US Freedom 250 festival, Donald Trump suggested canceling the event and holding a "Make America Great Again" rally instead. Artists like McBride stated they were misled about the event's nonpartisan nature, while others, such as Vanilla Ice and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, confirmed their intention to perform. Trump, in posts on Truth Social, criticized the departing artists and proposed an "AMERICA IS BACK Rally" in Washington D.C. at the same time and location, asserting he would be the main attraction. He further advocated for replacing the festival entirely with a rally for "Great Patriots."

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended a concert series planned for the US's 250th anniversary, despite several artists withdrawing, citing misinformation about its non-partisan nature. Burgum dismissed calls for donor transparency, stating the event was about celebrating America. He also commented on musicians who he felt "segmented their audiences," drawing a parallel to politicians. Burgum maintained the event was non-partisan, even as former President Donald Trump referred to it as a rally and suggested he might perform. The article also mentions Burgum defending no-bid contracts for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the administration's potential appeal of an order to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.

President Donald Trump is set to headline "The Great American State Fair," a celebration of America's 250th anniversary on Washington's National Mall. This announcement comes after several musical artists, including Bret Michaels, the Commodores, and Martina McBride, withdrew from the event due to its ties to Trump. Trump stated on his social media platform that he would replace the departing artists. The fair's organizers, Freedom 250, confirmed Trump will kick off the celebration, which runs from June 25 to July 10. While Freedom 250 is billed as nonpartisan, it was launched by Trump and is led by a former appointee from his administration. Some artists who dropped out cited being misled about the event's theme or concerns about political entanglement. Other performers, such as Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice, are still scheduled to appear.

Several artists, including Young MC, Bret Michaels, and Martina McBride, have withdrawn from the US Freedom 250 concert, a 16-day event celebrating America's 250th birthday planned for the National Mall in Washington D.C. The performers cited concerns that the event, launched by the Trump administration, has become political, stating they were misled about its affiliation. In response, President Donald Trump criticized the departing artists as "third rate" and is considering holding his own "AMERICA IS BACK Rally" at the same time and location. Freedom 250, a nonprofit organization, maintains the event is non-partisan and aims to unite Americans.

President Donald Trump is considering canceling planned concerts for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration on Washington's National Mall. This potential cancellation comes after several artists withdrew from the event. Trump indicated he might replace the concerts with a speech and a political-style rally instead. The concerts were part of the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event scheduled from June 25 to July 10, 2026. The fair, organized by the Freedom 250 group, was intended to feature concert stages, exhibits, and attractions along the National Mall.

Several artists, including Martina McBride, Morris Day, Young MC, and the Commodores, have canceled their appearances at the Trump-affiliated Freedom 250's "Great American State Fair" concerts on Washington's National Mall. These cancellations occurred shortly after the initial lineup was announced for the June and July events. Artists cited concerns about the event's nonpartisan nature, with some stating they were assured it was apolitical and later discovering otherwise. Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, however, confirmed his participation, stating his intent to entertain and unite people. The Great American State Fair aims to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

At least six of nine musical acts scheduled to perform at a concert series organized by the Trump administration to mark the United States' 250th anniversary have withdrawn. Morris Day was among the first to pull out, calling his participation a "rumor." Young MC, the Commodores, C+C Music Factory, and Martina McBride also withdrew, with several artists stating they were misled about the event's nonpartisan nature or its affiliation with Donald Trump. Milli Vanilli singers expressed surprise at being listed, as they were not contacted. Vanilla Ice remains committed to performing. Freedom 250, the organizing group, maintains it is a nonpartisan entity focused on uniting Americans for the anniversary.