5 Artists Quit Freedom 250 Concert as Trump-Linked Fair Faces Political Backlash

15 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 29

Five booked acts — Young MC, Morris Day, the Commodores, Bret Michaels and Martina McBride — have now withdrawn from Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair on Washington’s National Mall.
Artists said they were led to believe the June 25-July 10 event was nonpartisan, then backed out after learning of its Trump administration ties or, in Michaels’ case, citing added safety concerns.
Freedom 250 denied any political affiliation, called itself a nonprofit uniting Americans around the 250th anniversary, and said it still expects to welcome millions without yet announcing lineup changes.
Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, Fab Morvan and C+C Music Factory’s Freedom Williams remain scheduled, though Williams said he does not support Trump.
The 16-day fair is part of a broader White House-backed semiquincentennial push that also includes a South Lawn UFC fight, a Washington Grand Prix and commemorative Trump-portrait passports.

With its lineup collapsing, how will America's 250th birthday fair redefine its celebration?

As performers exit citing division, can a national celebration find a new path to unity?