Trump-Sponsored Concert Sees Most Black Artists Pull Out, As Well As Bret Michaels And Martina McBride
The musical acts are responding to backlash from fans and social media commenters.
One day after a Trump-sponsored concert series was announced for Washington, D.C., this summer, several of the artists slated to perform have responded to public outcry over the events. The musicians are distancing themselves from Trump, as associating with the president remains offensive to many artists and their fans.
Morris Day, Young MC, more pull out of concert series
Blavity reported Wednesday that there was significant confusion and disappointment after Freedom 250 announced the lineup for The Great Americana series of Washington, D.C., concerts to be held in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Many commenters expressed disappointment at the acts who were set to appear at the Trump-aligned concert series, while others mocked the dated lineup, which consisted mostly of acts that were popular in the 1970s, ’80s or ’90s. Shortly after the announcement, Morris Day & The Time took to social media to say that “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at The Great American State Fair,” the band wrote.
Since then, other acts have responded to their role in the event. Young MC, best known for his 1989 hit song “Bust a Move,” posted on social media that “I have informed my agents that I will not be performing at the Freedom 250 event.” He explained that “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event” and credited media coverage for how he learned that the event was “Trump-backed.” Young MC pledged to return to Washington, D.C., in the future to perform “at an event that is not so politically charged.”
Jodie Rocco, who sings for Milli Vanilli along with her sister Linda, told The Associated Press, “My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli,’ as one of the performers,” denying that members of the group had been asked to perform in the concert series.
The Commodores announced their decision not to perform at the Freedom 250 event, stating that the group “will not be performing at the Great American State Fair. Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”
Rocker Bret Michaels withdrew from the concert series Thursday, saying, “Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of.”
Country star Martina McBride likewise withdrew from The Great State Fair, saying in a lengthy social media post, “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
Artists distance themselves from Trump
This is not the first time that performers have distanced themselves from events linked to Trump. As Blavity previously reported, rappers Nelly and Ludacris received significant backlash earlier this year when they were announced as part of the MAGA-friendly Rock the Country festival. Ludacris withdrew from the concert series, with his team claiming that his inclusion was the result of a scheduling “mix-up.” And after Trump allies controversially added his name to the famed Kennedy Center, many performers and artists pulled out of performances at the venue. With artists distancing themselves from the institution, the Kennedy Center has been shut down for two years, beginning Independence Day 2026, with renovations being blamed for the closure.
Not all artists are withdrawing from The Great American Fair, even if they don’t want it be associated with Trump. Freedom Williams, the rapper who holds the rights to the group C+C Music Factory, took to social media to respond to the backlash as well. In an expletive-laden video, he explained that he is not politically aligned with Trump and was initially going to withdraw due to the controversy but has now decided to perform as scheduled. Williams, who uses the video to rip Presidents Trump and Obama as well as Kid Rock, “Zionists,” “white capitalists,” and the COVID vaccine, paints his decision to perform as a response to cancel culture. He declares at one point that he would vote for “f***ing Genghis Khan, Hitler, and motherf***ing Ivan the Terrible before I let you n****s tell me what to motherf***ing do.”
Vanilla Ice, meanwhile, confirmed he is still performing, with a representative saying the rapper “is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!”
While Vanilla Ice is still onboard and Williams is using his upcoming Freedom 250 performance as an act of defiance, most of the other artists have quickly moved to distance themselves from the event and President Trump. Despite the president’s best efforts to align himself with celebrities and entertainers, his name remains toxic for many artists.
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