Vanilla Ice Defends Freedom 250 Gig as 5 Artists Quit Over Trump-Backed Event Claims
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 2
Vanilla Ice Defends Freedom 250 Gig as 5 Artists Quit Over Trump-Backed Event Claims
4 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 2
Vanilla Ice told CBS News he will still perform at Freedom 250, saying the concert marks America’s 250th birthday and is “not anything to do with politics.”
5 artists have withdrawn since the lineup was announced last week, including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, the Commodores, Bret Michaels and Martina McBride, with some saying they were misled about the event’s political ties.
Young MC said organizers called the show nonpartisan even as media reports described Freedom 250 as Trump-backed; the group, launched by the Trump administration last year, says it aims to unite Americans around the anniversary.
The concerts are part of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10, featuring pavilions for all 56 states and territories alongside exhibits, rides and live performances.
As a music festival morphs into a rally, what does this mean for national anniversary events?
Why are two separate entities, one using $100M in tax funds, planning the same national celebration?