The White House is putting distance between itself and Freedom 250 amid growing controversy surrounding the organization’s planned National Mall concert series, even as President Donald Trump remains a central figure in its celebrations and the administration promotes the group as part of its efforts to celebrate the nation’s birthday.The White House said on Monday that Trump was looking forward to the festivities but emphasized that the events were being planned independently of the administration.“President Trump is excited to participate in various events across the country that properly honors the momentous 250th anniversary of America’s great founding,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told the Washington Examiner.
But when asked whether Trump was disappointed with Freedom 250 and whether there should be changes to its leadership, a source close to the White House emphasized that the organization operates separately from the administration.
“You do realize it is a separate entity right?” they said.
The White House’s effort to draw a distinction between itself and Freedom 250 highlights a longstanding point of confusion surrounding America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The emphasis on Freedom 250’s independence also comes after Trump spent the weekend publicly criticizing the group’s Great American State Fair concert series and urging organizers to replace it with a Make America Great Again rally after multiple artists withdrew from the lineup.
