Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleArtists cited the event's "MAGA-coded political overtones" as their reason for canceling, stating they were initially told it would be nonpartisan (Reuters)A White House-backed concert series, Freedom 250, intended to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, collapsed after numerous artists withdrew. Artists cited the event's "MAGA-coded political overtones" as their reason for canceling, stating they were initially told it would be nonpartisan. The president expressed anger over the cancellations, calling the artists "overpriced" and suggesting he might headline the event himself or replace it with a rally. Freedom 250, a public-private partnership, faces scrutiny from watchdog groups and lawmakers over its use of federal funds and lack of transparency. Concerns are rising as the Interior Department funneled significant taxpayer money to Freedom 250's parent organization, while the bipartisan America 250 commission faces a substantial funding shortfall. In fullGreat American meltdown: Trump’s Freedom 250 concerts are collapsing while the project rakes in taxpayer doughThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in