Trump interior chief defends ‘nonpartisan’ 250 event after artists flee lineup
.@SecretaryBurgum: “Some musicians want to play music for everybody, and some musicians seem to have segmented their audiences the same way politicians have — but @Freedom250 and the celebration of the 250th is a nonpartisan event.” pic.twitter.com/W2jbkmj6Ow
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 31, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration’s interior secretary Doug Burgum blasted musicians who pulled out of a Freedom 250 concert series after several artists said they were misled about the event’s political nature.
The backlash escalated after President Donald Trump suggested replacing the performers with a massive MAGA-style rally in Washington, DC.
Burgum defends Freedom 250
Speaking on CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ Burgum insisted the celebration tied to America’s 250th anniversary was meant to be “a nonpartisan event.”
“I can’t wade into the politics of musicians, because some musicians want to play music for everybody, and some musicians seem to have segmented their audiences,” Burgum said.
He framed the event as a nationwide celebration, saying Americans should “celebrate in your own way” and described the planned fair on the National Mall as a tribute to “all 50 states and all territories.”
CNN host Dana Bash pushed back after multiple artists reportedly claimed organizers initially described the concert as apolitical.
When Bash referenced Trump calling the event a MAGA rally, Burgum replied: “Well, it is, but that’s something I think we all can certainly understand.”
Burgum also dismissed demands for donor transparency tied to the concert series.
“It’s not about the transparency of the donors,” he said. “This is about Americans celebrating the 250th anniversary.”
BURGUM: The celebration of the 250 is a nonpartisan event
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 31, 2026
BASH: But Trump called it a 'Make America Great Again rally,' which is the name of his political organization
BURGUM: Well, it is, but that's something I think we all can certainly understand pic.twitter.com/Q6WfbhHKEn
Trump mocks departing artists
Trump sharply criticized the artists who backed out of the event and mocked them in multiple Truth Social posts.
“I understand Artists are getting ‘the yips’ having to do with their performance on Wednesday,” Trump wrote before suggesting he could personally replace them.
He called himself “the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World” and claimed he drew “much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime”.
Trump later said he was considering “an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday” in Washington at the “same time, same location.”
“Only Great Patriots invited,” he added. “It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America!”
In another post later Saturday, Trump doubled down on the artists, writing: “We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear.”
Artists cite political concerns
At least seven of the nine scheduled performers reportedly withdrew from the concert series.
The artists including Martina McBride, The Commodores and Morris Day backed out after saying they believed the event would be a nonpartisan congressional celebration rather than a Trump-backed gathering.
Freedom Williams of C+C Music Factory said he did not support Trump but still planned to perform.
Burgum said he did not know whether the concert series would ultimately be canceled.
He later defended the administration’s handling of other 250th anniversary projects, including no-bid contracts connected to updates at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and said the administration could appeal a judge’s order requiring Trump’s name to be removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
