The Freedom 250 concert, associated with former President Donald Trump, is facing significant upheaval as several scheduled performers have pulled out.
Initially, on Wednesday, Freedom 250, which presents itself as a non-partisan event, unveiled an eclectic lineup to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. The roster included artists like Morris Day and the Time, Vanilla Ice, Martina McBride, Flo Rida, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Bret Michaels, and Young MC.
This concert is set to take place at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 25.
However, soon after the lineup was made public, several artists quickly announced their withdrawal. Some performers even alleged that they were not informed about Trump’s association with the event.
On Wednesday, Morris Day took to Instagram to express his decision, stating, “It’s a no for me.” Likewise, Martina McBride, Young MC, and William King of The Commodores confirmed they would not be participating in the Freedom 250 concert, which also plans to host a UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn.
But even as some artists rushed to sever any ties with the concert, others, including Vanilla Ice, clarified that they were still on for the show.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and to representatives for Day, The Commodores, Young MC and Milli Vanilli to request comment.
The Donald Trump–affiliated Freedom 250 concert was thrown into chaos this week when multiple performers announced that they were dropping out of the show, including Morris Day (L); seen performing with Morris Day and the Time in May 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana
But even as some artists rushed to sever any ties with the concert, others, including Vanilla Ice, clarified that they were still on for the show; Vanilla Ice is pictured in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 creating the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. He named himself chair and appointed Vice President J. D. Vance as vice chair; pictured Wednesday in Washington, DC
In his Instagram post on Wednesday, Morris Day shared a graphic stating, ‘Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & the Time will not be performing at the “Great American State Fair.”‘
The Commodores subsequently announced that they would not be performing at Freedom 250.
‘Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,’ the funk act said in a statement on Instagram. ‘We support the betterment of all Americans.’
William King, a co-founding member and multi-instrumentalist for The Commodores, confirmed in a phone call to Rolling Stone that they would not be featured at the concert.
Country music hitmaker Martina McBride also joined the list of cancellations on Thursday.
‘I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,’ McBride wrote in an Instagram post, adding that she had ‘asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.
‘I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,’ she continued. ‘I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs that I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special.’
But McBride added, ‘Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.’
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In his Instagram post on Wednesday, Morris Day shared a graphic stating, ‘Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & the Time will not be performing at the “Great American State Fair,”‘ adding, ‘It’s a no for me 😎’
The Commodores subsequently announced that they would not be performing at Freedom 250
William King, a co-founding member and multi-instrumentalist for The Commodores, confirmed in a phone call to Rolling Stone that they would not be featured at the concert; King is pictured in 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Country music hitmaker Martina McBride also joined the list of cancellations on Thursday; pictured in 2022 in Nashville, Tenn.
‘I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,’ McBride wrote, adding that she had ‘asked lots of questions and was assurd this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states’
She went on to defend herself, saying she had spent her ‘entire career singing songs about real people with real issues’ and being a ‘voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one.’
‘It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs,’ McBride continued. ‘I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out.’
Young MC went on to join the chorus of artists distancing themselves from the event in a post on Facebook.
‘I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,’ he wrote.
The rapper (born Marvin Young) went on to claim that ‘The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.’
‘And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as “Trump-backed,”‘ he continued. ‘I hope to perform in DC in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.’
Young MC clarified how his name came to be associated with Freedom 250 and called it a ‘bait-and-switch’ scheme in an interview with Vibe on Thursday.
‘I had no clue it was considered a “Trump-backed” event, so that was new to me,’ he said. ‘My whole thing was “tell me what the event is, what it’s about, who you are, and then give me the choice of whether I want to do the event or not.” I was never given that choice.
Young MC went on to join the chorus of artists distancing themselves from the event in a post on Facebook
The rapper (born Marvin Young) went on to claim that ‘The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event’
‘I was told one thing, and then it was a bait-and-switch,’ Young MC alleged. ‘All the comments I’ve seen from the artists that have dropped out thought it was supposed to be a regular show in DC.’
Among the performers announced was Milli Vanilli, but members of a group calling themselves The Real Milli Vanilli put out a statement on Thursday to distance their group from Freedom 250.
‘Others using the name “Milli Vanilli” that appear on the advertisement should be considered a tribute band with no association vocally or musically to our sound or songs,’ they wrote.
Milli Vanilli was originally billed as a duo featuring Rob Pilatus (who died in 1998) and Fab Morvan, but they were later revealed to have only lip-synced to songs performed by studio vocalists, most of whom appear to comprise the Real Milli Vanilli group.
However, Morvan’s visage was featured on advertisements for Freedom 250, suggesting that a group featuring him may perform under the Milli Vanilli name.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for The Real Milli Vanilli and Morvan to request comment.
Even as other artists rushed to jump ship, Vanilla Ice’s management confirmed that he would still be part of the Freedom 250 lineup.
‘Vanilla Ice is contracted and will perform at the Great American Fair at the National Mall on Friday, June 26,’ TQ management told Rolling Stone. ‘He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary! Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday and our Freedom!’
Among the performers announced was Milli Vanilli, but members of a group calling themselves The Real Milli Vanilli put out a statement on Thursday to distance their group from Freedom 250
Milli Vanilli was originally billed as a duo featuring Rob Pilatus (who died in 1998) and Fab Morvan, but they were later revealed to have only lip-synced to songs performed by studio vocalists, most of whom appear to comprise the Real Milli Vanilli group
However, Morvan’s visage was featured on advertisements for Freedom 250, suggesting that a group featuring him may perform under the Milli Vanilli name; pictured in February in LA
The defections also exposed conflict within some of the groups announced to play Freedom 250.
Freedom Williams of C + C Music Factory clarified in an Instagram video that he doesn’t ‘f*** with Trump,’ but he said he still planned to perform and lashed out at anyone urging him to do otherwise.
‘I don’t give a f*** about Trump. I don’t give a f*** about Trump’s family. I don’t know the n***a. I’m from New York. I know the type of anarchy he creates,’ Williams said. ‘But the day I let you motherf***ers tell me what to do is the day I die.’
Bizarrely, Williams said he would cast votes for Adolf Hitler, Genghis Khan and ‘motherf***ing Ivan the Terrible before I let you n***as tell me what to motherf***ing do.’
But Robert Clivillés, who co-founded C + C Music Factory, explained that Williams – an original member – had acquired the band’s trademark back in 2005 and now performed under the name without Clivillés.
‘Freedom Williams [is] solely misrepresenting C&C Music Factory,’ he said in a social media post that suggested Williams was using the band name without permission.
‘Please vent on his personal page and know that this is not a C&C Music Factory Participation,’ he continued, adding that the group ‘does not participate nor side with any specific political party.’
The Freedom 250 concert was organized by Trump appointee Keith Krach, and the event says that it ‘serves as the official public–private partnership’ to create major events for the US’ 250th anniversary.
Even as other artists rushed to jump ship, Vanilla Ice’s management confirmed that he would still be part of the Freedom 250 lineup; pictured in 2021 in Ventura, Calif.
In a statement on his personal website, Krach explained the organization’s aims.
After saying he was ‘grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to execute his vision for Freedom 250,’ he wrote, ‘At its core, Freedom 250 is a national movement – bringing states, businesses, organizations, and citizens together to honor our history, cherish our God-given freedoms and help build a golden age of opportunity for the next 250 years.’
On January 29, 2025 – shortly after he retook office – Donald Trump announced that he was creating the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.
As part of his executive order, Trump named himself the chair of the task force, while Vice President J. D. Vance was designated as its vice chair.
