At least four headliners have withdrawn from a major concert series tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, just one day after organizers announced the lineup for the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.
The event, scheduled for June 25 through July 10, 2026, on the National Mall, features state pavilions, rides, exhibits and free performances as part of the Trump-backed Freedom 250 initiative. Country star Martina McBride, rapper Young MC, funk group Morris Day and the Time, and The Commodores all backed out shortly after the Wednesday announcement. Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli remain on the current schedule alongside other acts like Flo Rida and Bret Michaels.
Organizers promoted the fair as a nonpartisan celebration of American culture, innovation and heritage. However, several artists cited concerns over the event’s political associations. Young MC posted that he informed his agents he would not perform, noting artists were not fully informed about the nature of the event. Morris Day and the Time stated plainly on social media, “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the ‘Great American State Fair.’” The Commodores issued a similar denial, while Martina McBride said she was misled about the event being strictly nonpartisan.
The pullouts highlight divisions surrounding the semiquincentennial celebrations. Freedom 250, a public-private partnership, aims to create a large-scale fair-like atmosphere on the National Mall with participation from all 50 states and territories. Organizers have not yet issued a detailed updated lineup.
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