President Donald Trump urged the cancellation of the Freedom 250 concert series on May 30 after several headline acts withdrew. The event, planned for June 25–July 10 on the National Mall as part of the Great American State Fair, lost performers including Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day, Martina McBride and Bret Michaels. Trump suggested replacing the lineup with an "AMERICA IS BACK" rally featuring himself; organizers have not finalized plans and a few artists still say they intend to appear.
Trump Urges Cancellation Of Freedom 250 After Multiple Artists Withdraw, Proposes 'America Is Back' Rally
Donald Trump - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
President Donald Trump on May 30 publicly called for the cancellation of the Freedom 250 concert series after a number of scheduled performers withdrew from the event that had been planned for late June and early July on the National Mall.
What Happened
The Freedom 250 concerts were slated to run June 25–July 10 as part of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. After several headline acts announced they would no longer participate, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was considering replacing the performers with an "AMERICA IS BACK" rally featuring himself.
“I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World... DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists,’ and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!”
Who Withdrew—and Why
Artists who publicly withdrew include Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day (of Morris Day and The Time), Martina McBride and Bret Michaels. McBride said on Instagram that she declined because what had been presented as a nonpartisan event turned out to be misleading. Michaels said his team was told the appearance would be a musical celebration honoring veterans, service members and teachers, but that the event "evolved into something much more divisive." Other acts issued similar statements citing concerns about the event's political framing.
By contrast, Fab Morvan (of Milli Vanilli) and Vanilla Ice have said they still plan to perform; as of this writing it is unclear whether their appearances will go ahead.
Organizers, Politics And Reaction
Freedom 250 is organized by a nonpartisan nonprofit, but the private-public event has private backing tied to the president — an association several artists cited in explaining their decisions to withdraw. The controversy has attracted commentary from late-night hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Maher, who have mocked both the announced lineup and the subsequent departures.
Organizers and remaining performers have not confirmed final plans for the concerts. The episode has raised questions about how political associations can affect events presented as nonpartisan and the choices entertainers make about where to appear.
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