Trump to Open June 24 State Fair After More Than Half of Music Acts Cancel
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 30
Trump to Open June 24 State Fair After More Than Half of Music Acts Cancel
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 30
Donald Trump will kick off the Great American State Fair on June 24 on the National Mall, stepping in after organizers lost more than half of the announced musical lineup.
Martina McBride and Bret Michaels were among performers who canceled, saying they had not known the event was tied to Freedom 250, the Trump-aligned group created to plan 250th-birthday celebrations.
Trump floated the move on Truth Social, saying artists were getting "the yips" and directing aides to examine an "AMERICA IS BACK Rally"; advisers then moved quickly to turn the idea into the opening event.
The multiday fair had originally been set to begin June 25 and run through July 10, while the White House had earlier said it was not organizing the event.
How is the Great American State Fair shaping its identity as a national celebration after numerous performers withdrew?
Amid financial probes, what is the future for the two different commissions planning America's 250th anniversary celebration?