Published May 29, 2026, 2:11 PM EDT
Trump's 'Freedom 250' Concert Sees Almost All Announced Artists Exit Event
The event had 'evolved into something much more divisive' than what musicians said they agreed to take part in.
Nearly all of the artists announced for President Donald Trump’s “Freedom 250” concert series have pulled out of the upcoming festivities, turning a National Mall celebration built around America’s 250th birthday into a fight over patriotism, politics and the use of veterans in promoting the event. Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time, and C+C Music Factory are among the performers who have withdrawn from or distanced themselves from Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair, a 16-day event scheduled for June 25 through July 10 in Washington, D.C. The event was announced as part of the country’s semiquincentennial celebration and billed as a free public festival with concerts, state exhibits and patriotic programming. But several artists said they were led to believe the event was nonpartisan before learning more about its ties to Trump’s broader 250th birthday plans.
Legendary singer/songwriter Brett Michaels claps his hands to honor the 2014 Military Child of the Year recipients at Crystal Gateway Marriot, Arlington, Va., April 10, 2014. Michaels was the keynote speaker for the event hosted by Operation Homefront, which awards outstanding military children who demonstrate resiliency, leadership and achievement. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mikki L. Sprenkle/Released)
