Martina McBride says ‘misleading’ nonpartisan pitch led her to quit Trump's Freedom 250
WASHINGTON, DC: Country singer Martina McBridge has pulled out of the President Trump-linked Freedom 250 concert series as backlash grows over claims the patriotic events were falsely presented to artists as nonpartisan.
At least six of the nine musical acts announced for the concerts have now either dropped out or distanced themselves from the event within a day of the lineup reveal. Critics and fans questioned whether the concerts were truly nonpolitical despite repeated claims from organizers.
Martina McBride backs out
McBride said she had agreed to perform because she believed the event would celebrate “all 50 states” without political affiliation.
“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th,” the country music star said in a statement. “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
The country star said she “asked lots of questions” before agreeing to appear and was assured the event was “meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.”
“Yesterday, things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening,” McBride added.
She also addressed fans upset by her brief association with the event, saying, “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.”
Her comments drew support from fellow artists online. Sheryl Crow wrote, “Martina, you are a beautiful artist, mother, citizen, American,” while Jason Isbell posted, “WHEW.”
More artists abandon event
McBride joined a fast-growing list of artists distancing themselves from Freedom 250.
Young MC said, “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” while also questioning organizers’ claims that the concerts were nonpartisan.
The statement released by Milli Vanilli said that "the original/real vocalists of Milli Vanilli, Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco, Brad Howell, John Davis, and Charles Shaw will NOT be performing their hits live at The Great American State Fair."
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, it said.
Morris Day dismissed reports of his participation as a “rumor” just hours after the lineup announcement.
The Commodores also withdrew, saying, “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.”
Meanwhile, Freedom Williams of C+C Music Factory said friends were horrified after learning he was “doing the Trump Freedom show.”
“I’m like: ‘What? What are you talking about?’” Williams said in a video statement, adding that his agent never disclosed any Trump connection when pitching the concert.
Williams later blasted Trump directly, saying, “I know where I stand. I know who the f**k I am.”
Trump ties fuel scrutiny
Although Freedom 250 branding mostly avoids Trump imagery, critics pointed to statements from CEO Keith Krach openly crediting the president with creating the initiative.
“President Donald J Trump pledged that our nation’s 250th birthday would be celebrated in a way worthy of our history,” Krach wrote on the organization’s website, adding that Trump “launched Freedom 250”.
The group has continued to insist that the organization is nonpartisan. Spokesperson Rachel Reisner called Freedom 250 “a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Still, questions intensified after a recent Freedom 250 religious event that featured figures including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson alongside conservative evangelical leaders.
As artists exited the lineup, Vanilla Ice remained one of the few performers still publicly committed to the show, saying in an Instagram video, “I’m super honored to do this concert with everybody.”
