{"id":473044,"date":"2026-05-29T12:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/473044\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T12:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:35:09","slug":"artists-bail-on-d-c-bash-for-americas-250th-birthday-after-being-listed-on-the-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/473044\/","title":{"rendered":"Artists bail on D.C. bash for America\u2019s 250th birthday after being listed on the lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five musical artists listed as performers at an upcoming event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary said they won\u2019t be attending despite being listed on the lineup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Freedom 250, a public-private partnership backed by President Donald Trump<\/a>, announced a list of performers Wednesday, but shortly after, Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Bret Michaels announced that they would not be making appearances. <\/p>\n

\u201cContrary To Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing At The \u2018GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR,\u2019\u201d a graphic the artist posted on social media said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s A No For Me,\u201d the post added.<\/p>\n

\"MorrisMorris Day performs Beverly Hills, Calif., in September.Michael Tullberg \/ Getty Images file<\/p>\n

Young MC, McBride, The Commodores and Michaels all specifically called out the event\u2019s political nature when announcing that they would not be participating. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,\u201d Young MC wrote in a social media post <\/a>on Wednesday. <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged,\u201d the rapper added.<\/p>\n

McBride said in her post<\/a> Thursday that she would not perform at the event, writing that she \u201cwas presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,\u201d the country star wrote. \u201cYesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Commodores wrote in a post on X<\/a> Thursday that \u201cour music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe support the betterment of all Americans,\u201d the band added. <\/p>\n

Michaels said in a social media post <\/a>that what he thought was going to be an event to honor military service members, veterans, first responders, teachers and other working Americans had \u201cevolved into something much more divisive than I agreed to be part of.\u201d The Poison frontman also said the safety of his fans, band, crew and family had entered into his decision, referring to threats that he called \u201ccompletely unfounded and unforgivable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reached for comment, Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner said that the group is a nonpartisan nonprofit \u201cdedicated to uniting Americans around the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFreedom 250 is focused on our signature celebrations and events that honor our history and engage all Americans \u2014 welcoming all who share our goal of commemorating this milestone in a way that uplifts and unites America,\u201d Reisner added.<\/p>\n

NBC News has reached out to other artists listed on the lineup for comment.<\/p>\n

The artists\u2019 posts came shortly after Freedom 250 announced the \u201cfirst wave\u201d of participants, including hip-hop acts Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida, funk and soul group The Commodores, dance-pop act C+C Music Factory and Bret Michaels, the frontman for the glam metal band Poison.<\/p>\n

TQ Management Agency, which represents Vanilla Ice, told NBC News in a statement Thursday that the artist \u201cis contracted and will perform at the Great American Fair at the National Mall on Friday, June 26. He is proud to help celebrate America\u2019s 250th Anniversary!\u201d<\/p>\n

Freedom 250 announced that the artists would participate in the \u201cGreat American State Fair,\u201d which will run from June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall. <\/p>\n

The festivities will include showcases from states and territories, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, \u201cCEO and innovator-led conversations and demonstrations\u201d and special screenings of \u201cNational Treasure\u201d and its sequel, \u201cNational Treasure: Book of Secrets,\u201d the organizers said.<\/p>\n

Trump has also created a task force to spearhead an administration-wide effort to prepare for the anniversary events. The White House said those will include an IndyCar street race around the National Mall and a UFC fight at the White House.<\/p>\n