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June 2, 2026 / 12:14 PM EDT

/ CBS News

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Washington — The decision by many performers to back out of a concert series for the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding almost as soon as the lineup was announced last week revealed confusion surrounding plans for America's big birthday bash in the nation's capital. There are two different organizations planning various celebrations for the 250th anniversary. One — Freedom 250 — is a White House-connected, public-private partnership that's hosting a "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall, along with the concert series and a UFC match at the White House. The other — America250 — was established by Congress a decade ago to plan nonpartisan celebrations nationwide.Last week, most of the original lineup of performers announced by Freedom 250 said they wouldn't be playing, with some citing concerns about possible politicization. Over the weekend, President Trump threatened to cancel all performances at the Great American State Fair and said he may hold a Make America Great Again rally instead, fueling critics' accusations that he's politicizing the country's birthday celebrations."We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday, adding, "Cancel it." He also said he wants to "give a major speech" instead of listening to "third-rate 'artists.'"The turmoil surrounding the concert lineup brought the groups' differing approaches to the forefront, with just weeks to go until July 4.What is Freedom 250?Freedom 250, the organization responsible for the fair and concert series, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with the White House and various Trump administration agencies to plan events surrounding the 250th anniversary. Freedom 250 was created under the "Salute to America 250 Task Force," which Mr. Trump established through an executive order shortly after he took office to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.