Trump's "Great American State Fair" Lineup Collapses as Artists Withdraw
President Trump's "Great American State Fair," part of the "Freedom 250" celebrations for the U.S. semiquincentennial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., has seen six of nine scheduled acts withdraw, including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, The Commodores, Martina McBride, and Bret Michaels. Artists cited misleading nonpartisan claims and divisiveness. Remaining performers are Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory, the latter facing internal disputes. A rival "Power To The People Festival" in Maryland was announced.
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Trump Rages as Concert Cancellations Derail His Great American State Fair
President Donald Trump reacted furiously after several musical artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & the Time, and Bret Michaels, canceled their performances at his 'Great American State Fair' event. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump proposed replacing the concerts with a single large MAGA rally, claiming he is the 'Number One Attraction anywhere in the World.' He also launched a tirade against a federal judge who ordered his name removed from the Kennedy Center facade. The article notes the remaining lineup (Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, and a C+C Music Factory guest) is insufficient, and compares the situation to Trump's previously botched military parade. A secondary story reports that former Colorado election clerk Tina Peters was freed after Governor Jared Polis granted clemency, sparking backlash from Democrats and praise from Trump allies.
The New RepublicTrump Rages as Concert Lineup Collapses, Proposes MAGA Rally Instead
President Donald Trump reacted furiously after several musical artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & the Time, and Bret Michaels, canceled their performances at his 'Great American State Fair' event. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump proposed replacing the concerts with a single 'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY' for 250, claiming the artists were overpriced and boring. He also launched a tirade against a federal judge who ordered his name removed from the Kennedy Center facade. The article notes the remaining lineup includes only Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, and a C+C Music Factory guest artist, and compares the situation to Trump's previously botched military parade. The report characterizes Trump's response as part of a pattern of self-aggrandizing social media rants during difficult periods.
The New RepublicTrump Rages as Concert Cancellations Derail Great American State Fair
President Donald Trump reacted furiously after several musical artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, and Bret Michaels, cancelled performances at his Great American State Fair. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump proposed replacing the concert series with a single 'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY' for 250 people, dismissing the artists as 'overpriced singers' with boring music. He also launched a tirade against a federal judge who ordered his name removed from the Kennedy Center facade. Trump claimed the cancellations were due to 'the yips' and boasted he could serve as the 'Number One Attraction' with larger audiences than Elvis. The remaining lineup includes Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, and a C+C Music Factory guest artist. The article characterizes Trump's response as part of a pattern of self-aggrandizing behavior during difficult times.
The New RepublicTrump to Headline US 250th Birthday Event After Artists Withdraw
President Donald Trump will headline the 'Great American State Fair,' a 16-day event on the National Mall celebrating America's 250th birthday, according to event organizers. The announcement came after numerous artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Morris Day and the Time, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels, withdrew from the event due to its partisan overtones. Trump criticized the performers on social media, calling them 'highly paid, Third Rate Artists' and suggesting he replace them with a rally. The only confirmed acts now are Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli. A senior administration official told The New York Times that someone will likely be fired over the concert rollout 'mess.'
TheWeek feedTrump to Headline US 250th Birthday Event After Multiple Artists Drop Out
President Donald Trump will headline the 'Great American State Fair,' a 16-day event on the National Mall celebrating America's 250th birthday, according to event organizers. The announcement came after numerous artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, Morris Day and the Time, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels, withdrew from the event citing its partisan overtones. Trump responded on social media, calling himself the 'Number One Attraction' and suggesting a 'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY' instead of hiring 'overpriced singers.' Currently, only Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and Milli Vanilli's Fab Morvan remain confirmed. A senior administration official told The New York Times that someone will likely be fired over the concert rollout 'mess.'
TheWeek feedTrump's Great American State Fair Loses Almost All Performers Amid Controversy
Donald Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' a concert series planned to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, has lost six of its nine original headliners as of Friday. Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, and Bret Michaels have withdrawn, leaving only Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory on the docket. However, the remaining acts are also in jeopardy: Robert Clivillés of C+C Music Factory publicly disputed Freedom Williams' right to use the group's name for the event, calling it potentially illegal. Artists claimed the booking process was misleading, with McBride stating she was assured it was a nonpartisan event but later discovered its highly partisan nature. The article also notes a separate $5 million Trump administration contract to gold-leaf statues on the National Mall and a $13.1 million reflecting pool repainting project, raising questions about spending and contract awards.
The New RepublicTrump's Great American State Fair Loses Almost All Performers Amid Controversy
Donald Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' a concert series planned to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, has lost six of its nine original headliners as of Friday. Artists including Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, and Bret Michaels have withdrawn, citing misleading booking practices and the event's unexpected partisan nature. Only Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory remain, but the latter is embroiled in an internal dispute. Co-founder Robert Clivillés claims featured artist Freedom Williams has no right to use the group's name for the event, calling the participation contentious and possibly illegal. Martina McBride stated she was assured the event was nonpartisan but later discovered it was not, expressing distress that her involvement could misrepresent her career values.
The New RepublicTrump's Great American State Fair Faces Mass Artist Withdrawals and Controversy
Donald Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' intended to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, is unraveling as six of nine original headliners have withdrawn. Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, and Bret Michaels all dropped out, citing misleading booking practices and the event's unexpected partisan nature. Only Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory remain, but the latter is embroiled in an internal dispute. Co-founder Robert Clivillés claims Freedom Williams has no right to use the group's name for the event, calling it potentially illegal. Martina McBride stated she was assured the event was nonpartisan and is 'greatly upset' by the misrepresentation. The article also notes separate controversies over Trump administration spending on D.C. beautification projects, including $5 million for gold-leafing horse statues.
The New RepublicFive Acts Drop Out of Trump's 'Great American State Fair' as Bret Michaels and Martina McBride Cite Divisiveness
Bret Michaels, frontman of Poison, announced on May 29, 2026, that he is pulling out of the Trump administration's 'Great American State Fair,' becoming the fifth act to withdraw from the nine-act lineup. Michaels stated the event, originally described as a nonpartisan celebration of America, had evolved into something 'much more divisive,' and cited safety threats to his fans and crew. Country star Martina McBride also dropped out, saying she was misled about the event's nonpartisan nature. The Commodores, Young MC, and Morris Day and The Time had previously withdrawn. The remaining lineup includes Vanilla Ice, C+C Music Factory, Milli Vanilli, and Flo Rida. The fair is part of the 'Freedom 250' celebrations for the U.S. semiquincentennial. In a related development, guitarist Tom Morello announced a rival 'Power To The People' festival in Maryland featuring Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, and others.
Forbes - BusinessMartina McBride and The Commodores Drop Out of Trump's Great American State Fair as Lineup Shrinks
Country singer Martina McBride and funk group The Commodores have withdrawn from the 'Great American State Fair,' a free event part of the Trump administration's 'Freedom 250' celebrations in Washington, D.C. McBride stated in a social media post that she was initially told the event was nonpartisan, which she called misleading. The Commodores said they do not publicly affiliate with any political party. Their exits follow earlier dropouts by Young MC and Morris Day and The Time, leaving only five of the original nine acts: C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels. C+C Music Factory initially planned to drop out but reversed course after backlash. Separately, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello announced a 'Power To The People Festival' in Maryland for October, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, and others, with tickets starting at $125.
Forbes - BusinessThe Commodores Drop Trump’s ‘Great American State Fair’ As Lineup Crumbles
Funk and soul group The Commodores have withdrawn from the 'Great American State Fair,' a Trump administration event celebrating the U.S. 250th anniversary, becoming the third act to do so. The band stated they will not 'publicly affiliate with any single political party.' Young MC and Morris Day and The Time also dropped out, reducing the lineup from nine to six acts. Remaining performers include Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels. C+C Music Factory initially planned to drop out but reversed course after backlash. The free event in Washington, D.C., will feature speeches, flyovers, and fireworks. Meanwhile, a competing 'Power To The People Festival' organized by Tom Morello in Maryland will feature Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, and others, with tickets starting at $125.
Forbes - BusinessArtists Withdraw from Trump's Great American State Fair After Being Listed Without Consent
Three major performing artists—Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, and Milli Vanilli—have withdrawn from President Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' part of the America 250 celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled from June 25 to July 10, 2026. The artists stated they were not informed of the event's political affiliation with Trump and expressed shock at being included. Young MC explicitly refused to perform at the 'Trump-backed' event, while Milli Vanilli said they were 'shocked' to see their name listed. Vanilla Ice, however, confirmed he is 'proud' to participate. Other scheduled acts—the Commodores, Flo Rida, and Martina McBride—have not yet commented. The article suggests more withdrawals may follow.
The New RepublicArtists Withdraw from Trump's Great American State Fair After Being Listed Without Consent
Three major performing artists—Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, and Milli Vanilli—have withdrawn from President Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' part of the America 250 celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled from June 25 to July 10, 2026. The artists stated they were not informed of the event's political affiliation with Trump and expressed shock at being included. Young MC explicitly cited the event as 'Trump-backed' and politically charged. Vanilla Ice, however, confirmed he is 'proud' to participate. Other scheduled acts—the Commodores, Flo Rida, and Martina McBride—have not yet commented. The withdrawals highlight controversy over the event's non-partisan claims and may lead to further cancellations.
The New RepublicScheduled Artists Begin Bailing on Trump’s “Great American State Fair”
Two major performing artists, Morris Day and the Time and rapper Young MC, have withdrawn from President Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' part of the America 250 celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled from June 25 to July 10. Morris Day and the Time posted a graphic on Facebook captioned 'It’s a no for me,' while Young MC stated he was never informed about the event's political involvement and described it as 'Trump-backed' based on a SPIN magazine report. The other scheduled acts—the Commodores, Flo Rida, Milli Vanilli, Martina McBride, and Vanilla Ice—have not yet commented. The article notes the lineup was already considered outdated, and further withdrawals are possible.
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