Nearly every musician announced for the Great American State Fair, a 16-day patriotic celebration planned for the National Mall in Washington, D.C., has withdrawn from the event after learning it was organized in part by President Trump’s nonprofit, Freedom 250.
The fair is scheduled to run June 25 through July 10 and is designed to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary. It will feature a Ferris wheel, carousel, rodeo, livestock competitions, and a series of concerts. Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain on the lineup. Most of the others have walked.
The Commodores withdrew Thursday, citing their policy of political neutrality. “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,” the R&B group said in a statement. “We support the betterment of all Americans.”
Country singer Martina McBride, who had been scheduled to perform June 25, said she signed on only after being told the event was nonpartisan. “I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,” she wrote Thursday. “Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
Young MC, whose rapper hit “Bust a Move” made him a household name in 1989, also withdrew. “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” he wrote on Facebook. “And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed.”
Bret Michaels, the former Poison frontman originally scheduled for July 3, cited safety concerns in addition to the political shift. “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,” he wrote on Instagram. “Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
Morris Day of Morris Day and The Time posted a blunt refusal on Facebook: “It’s A No For Me.”
At least one of the announced acts, Milli Vanilli, said they were never asked to perform at all. Singer Jodie Rocco told the Associated Press that she and her sister “were shocked to see our name” on the lineup.
Freedom 250 pushed back on the characterization that the event is partisan. A spokesperson told The Hill the fair is “inherently nonpolitical” and exists purely to celebrate America’s birthday.
Fab Morvan, the surviving member of the original Milli Vanilli duo, confirmed he will perform. “I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” he said in a statement to CBS News. Vanilla Ice’s management agency also confirmed his participation. “He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary. Everyone is welcome to attend,” the agency said.
The Freedom 250 event is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to mark the semiquincentennial. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced earlier this week a $465 million federal grant to Union Station as part of efforts to restore and beautify Washington, D.C., ahead of the celebration.
