Musical acts back out of performing at Trump-affiliated concert series | Trump administration
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-05-29 07:42:00 — www.theguardian.com
Musical Acts Withdraw from Trump’s Freedom 250 Concert Series
In a dramatic turn of events, at least six of the nine musical acts scheduled to perform in a concert series organized by the Trump administration to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary have dropped out, just one day after the lineup was announced. The series, dubbed Freedom 250, has faced backlash from artists who claim they were misled about the event’s political affiliations.
Initial Withdrawals
The first to withdraw was Morris Day, who dismissed his participation as a baseless “rumor.” Shortly after, Young MC announced via social media that he would not be performing, stating, “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.” He expressed skepticism regarding Freedom 250’s claim that the concert series was nonpartisan.
More Artists Follow Suit
On Thursday, several other acts, including the Commodores, C+C Music Factory, Martina McBride, and Milli Vanilli, either dropped out or expressed surprise at being booked. The Commodores released a statement saying, “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.”
Freedom Williams, the lead rapper of C+C Music Factory, recorded a video statement expressing his shock at being associated with the event. He stated, “I’ve known for years, who know I don’t fuck with Trump,” and explained that he was blindsided by the booking. Williams went on to criticize Trump, saying, “I know the type of fucking anarchy he creates.”
Martina McBride’s Clarification
Martina McBride also took to social media to clarify her position, stating, “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.” She emphasized that she had been assured the event was meant to celebrate all 50 states, but things began to change after the announcement.
Milli Vanilli’s Surprise
Jodie Rocco of Milli Vanilli expressed disbelief that her name was included in the lineup, stating, “My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli’, as one of the performers.”
Vanilla Ice Remains Committed
In contrast, Vanilla Ice confirmed his participation in an Instagram video, saying, “I’m super honored to do this concert with everybody.” He has a history of performing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago beach club, which adds to the complexity of the event’s political implications.
Freedom 250’s Nonpartisan Claim
Freedom 250, which was launched by Trump late last year, has described itself as a “nonpartisan 501(c)(3) dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation’s 250th anniversary.” A spokesperson stated that the organization aims to honor American history and engage all citizens in a celebration that uplifts and unites.
Conclusion
The rapid withdrawal of artists from the Freedom 250 concert series highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding political affiliations in entertainment. As artists express their discontent and clarify their positions, the event’s credibility and intended message face significant scrutiny. The fallout serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between politics and the arts in contemporary America.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/28/trump-concert-series-musicians-drop-out