Martina McBride, Morris Day among wave of cancellations at Trump-linked
Freedom 250 concerts
[May 29, 2026]
By HILLEL ITALIE
NEW YORK (AP) — A day after the President Donald Trump -affiliated
Freedom 250 announced the “first wave” of performers for “The Great
American State Fair” shows on Washington's National Mall in June and
July, the lineup has been hit with a wave of cancellations. Young MC,
Morris Day, the Commodores and Martina McBride are among the scheduled
acts who have said they will not be appearing.
Scheduled performers also include Milli Vanilli, the pop duo from the
1980s who were discredited after it was revealed that their frontmen,
Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan, were only lip-syncing.
Milli Vanilli won a Grammy in 1990 for Best New Artist, but the award
was rescinded after the scandal broke. Pilatus died in 1998, while
Morvan has attempted a solo career and published a memoir, “You Know
It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.”
Morvan recently told The Guardian newspaper that he owns the Milli
Vanilli name, and he said in a statement Thursday that he would be
performing at the Great American State Fair.
“I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan said.
“Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel
honored to be a part of as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of
America with so many other accomplished artists.”
A Freedom 250 spokesperson did not immediately respond Thursday to a
request for comment. Freedom 250, which Trump launched late last year,
describes itself as a “national, non-partisan organization leading the
celebration of our Nation’s 250th birthday.” Trump appointed Keith Krach,
who served as an under secretary of state during his first term, as the
organization’s CEO.
Trump and his supporters have long had a contentious relationship with
the music community. Celine Dion, Elton John and Guns ’N Roses are among
the many artists who have objected to their music being played at Trump
rallies.
Country singer McBride wrote Thursday on social media that she had
agreed to perform after she “was assured this was a nonpartisan event.”
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Young MC performs during the "I Love The 90's" tour on Aug. 7, 2022,
at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP,
File)
 “Yesterday things started changing
and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening,” she said.
In an Instagram post, Young MC questioned whether the National Mall
shows would be nonpartisan. “The artists were never told about any
political involvement with the event,” he wrote, adding that he
hoped to “perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not
so politically charged.”
Day posted on Instagram, “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time
will not be performing at the 'GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR.”
McBride was scheduled for June 25. Young MC and Milli Vanilli were
among those on the roster for an “I Love the '90s” concert on June
26. Day was listed for June 27. Other performers announced include
Flo Rida and Bret Michaels. The Great American State Fair is
scheduled to run June 25-July 10.
At least one “I Love the 90s” act will be there: Vanilla Ice.
“He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!” a
representative for the “Ice Ice Baby” rapper wrote in an email to
the AP. “Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday
and our Freedom!”
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