President Donald Trump announced he will replace the Freedom 250 concert series with a political rally after nearly every artist booked for the event withdrew from the lineup. Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social, describing the June 24 event as the "rally to end all rallies."
In his post, Trump took a direct shot at the performers who had been scheduled to appear. "We don't want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we've told them all to stay home," he wrote. The artists who had been booked included Martina McBride, Morris Day and The Time, Bret Michaels, The Commodores, Milli Vanilli, and Young MC.
McBride said she exited the event after feeling misled about its nature. She had been told it would be a nonpartisan celebration, according to a report by The Wrap.
The event, organized by Trump's nonprofit Freedom 250, had been designed as a 16-day patriotic celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., tied to the country's 250th anniversary. Organizers had described it as bringing together "all 56 U.S. states and territories in a World Fair-style celebration of America's 250th birthday, featuring live entertainment, immersive exhibits, patriotic tributes, innovation showcases, cultural programming and family-friendly attractions stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument."
The rally Trump announced in its place will feature Lee Greenwood, who will introduce Trump with God Bless the U.S.A., along with Christopher Macchio performing operatic and religious selections including Nessun Dorma, Ave Maria, and Hallelujah. The U.S. Army Band Pershing's Own, the United States Marine Band, and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus are also listed as performers.
Trump's full post described the event in sweeping terms, calling Macchio's voice unmatched since Luciano Pavarotti and the planned evening "special at every level."
The Great American State Fair's website had not been updated as of the time of reporting to reflect the shift from concert to rally, though it still listed fair activities including specialty exhibits and interactive experiences. The event is set for June 24 at 7 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
