President Donald Trump has announced he will perform at the Freedom 250 concert series after several artists withdrew, calling himself the “Number One Attraction anywhere in the World.” In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump criticised the musicians who pulled out, saying they were getting “the yips” about performing at the Great American State Fair, an event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Trump wrote that he was considering replacing the “highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists’” with himself, claiming he draws larger audiences than Elvis Presley. He said he would give a major speech to rally the country. At least five of the nine scheduled acts—Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Martina McBride—dropped out this past week, citing concerns about the event becoming political or claiming they were misled about its nonpartisan nature.
Trump said he only wants “Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN” at the event. He ordered his representatives to explore holding an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally” in Washington, D.C., at the same time and location as the concert. A spokesperson for Freedom 250 confirmed that Trump will personally kick off the celebration on Wednesday, June 24, with an opening ceremony.
Artists who pulled out gave various reasons. Bret Michaels said the event became “something much more divisive than what I agreed to be part of,” citing safety concerns. Young MC said he was “never told about any political involvement,” and Martina McBride said she believed the concert was nonpartisan but “that turned out to be misleading.” Freedom 250 labels itself as a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
