Donald Trump’s ‘Freedom 250’ concert has been plunged into chaos as a fifth act has fled, citing ‘unforgivable’ threats to his family as the celebration of America’s founding becomes mired in controversy over its ties to the President.
Poison front man Bret Michaels released a statement late Thursday saying he had jumped at the chance to honor the nation, only to pull out fearing for the safety of his family, friends and bandmates.
He joins Morris Day, Young MC, the Commodores and Martina McBride with five of the nine headline acts dropping out since the lineup was announced on Wednesday – and just a month before the musical festival kicks off on the National Mall.
The artists say they were led to believe Freedom 250 was a nonpartisan commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, only to learn that it was tied to the Trump administration.
Michaels said the event pitched to him by organizers had ‘evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,’ Michaels said, echoing the other departed acts.
The rocker, 63, said he’d been sold on the idea that the concert was ‘a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans,’ but the politics surrounding the event had put his family, friends and bandmates at risk.
‘Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,’ Michaels said.
He insisted: ‘This isn’t about politics. It’s about staying true to what I’ve always believed in. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. That’s one of the freedoms our veterans fought for and something I’ve always respected. But as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.’
American glam rock band, Poison, including Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett, C.C. Deville and Bobby Dall, on January 9, 1987, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan
Bret Michaels, singer of the band Poison, performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2019 Stagecoach Country Music Festival on April 26, 2019 in Indio, California
Donald Trump dances to YMCA at his rally in Greensboro, North Carolina
Morris Day and Martina McBride
Michaels’ departure deepens the crisis for the event organizers who are now left with just four acts: Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, C+C Music Factory, and Milli Vanilli.
The exodus was sparked by Morris Day, best known as lead singer of The Time, on Wednesday.
He shared a graphic to his Instagram page, stating: ‘Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & the Time will not be performing at the “Great American State Fair.”‘
The Commodores soon followed and it was then that it emerged that the celebration’s political ties were causing discomfort for the stars.
‘Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,’ the funk act said in a statement. ‘We support the betterment of all Americans.’
Country music hitmaker Martina McBride then followed, lashing the event’s organizers for selling her a false pitch.
‘I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,’ McBride said, adding that she had ‘asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.’
The Commodores
Rapper Vanilla Ice performs onstage during the 9th Annual Tequila & Taco Music Festival at Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center on July 24, 2021 in Ventura, California
‘I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,’ she wrote in her statement.
‘I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs that I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special.’
But McBride added, ‘Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.’
She went on to defend herself, saying she had spent her ‘entire career singing songs about real people with real issues’ and being a ‘voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one.’
‘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,’ McBride continued. ‘I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out.’
Young MC went on to join the chorus of artists distancing themselves from the event in a Facebook post.
‘I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,’ he wrote.
The rapper (born Marvin Young) went on to claim that ‘The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.’
Fabrice Morvan, left, and Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli perform during the taping of the Arsenio Hall Show in Los Angeles in October 1992
Young MC performs during the “I Love The 90’s” tour on Aug. 7, 2022, at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Illinois
‘And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as “Trump-backed,”‘ he continued. ‘I hope to perform in DC in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.’
Young MC clarified how his name came to be associated with Freedom 250 and called it a ‘bait-and-switch’ scheme in an interview with Vibe on Thursday.
‘I had no clue it was considered a “Trump-backed” event, so that was new to me,’ he said. ‘My whole thing was “tell me what the event is, what it’s about, who you are, and then give me the choice of whether I want to do the event or not.” I was never given that choice.
‘I was told one thing, and then it was a bait-and-switch,’ Young MC alleged. ‘All the comments I’ve seen from the artists that have dropped out thought it was supposed to be a regular show in DC.’
Among the performers announced was Milli Vanilli, but members of a group calling themselves The Real Milli Vanilli issued a statement on Thursday distancing themselves from Freedom 250.
‘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,’ they wrote.
Milli Vanilli was originally billed as a duo featuring Rob Pilatus, who died in 1998, and Fab Morvan, but they were later revealed to have only lip-synced to songs performed by studio vocalists, most of whom appear to comprise the Real Milli Vanilli group.
However, Morvan was featured on advertisements for Freedom 250, suggesting that a group featuring him may perform under the Milli Vanilli name.
Even as other artists rushed to jump ship, Vanilla Ice’s management confirmed that he would still be part of the Freedom 250 lineup.
‘Vanilla Ice is contracted and will perform at the Great American Fair at the National Mall on Friday, June 26,’ TQ management told Rolling Stone. ‘He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary! Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday and our Freedom!’
The defections also exposed conflict within some of the groups announced to play Freedom 250.
Freedom Williams of C + C Music Factory clarified in an Instagram video that he doesn’t ‘f*** with Trump,’ but he said he still planned to perform and lashed out at anyone urging him to do otherwise.
‘I don’t give a f*** about Trump. I don’t give a f*** about Trump’s family. I don’t know the n***a. I’m from New York. I know the type of anarchy he creates,’ Williams said. ‘But the day I let you motherf***ers tell me what to do is the day I die.’
Bizarrely, Williams said he would cast votes for Adolf Hitler, Genghis Khan and ‘motherf***ing Ivan the Terrible before I let you n***as tell me what to motherf***ing do.’
But Robert Clivilles, who co-founded C + C Music Factory, explained that Williams – an original member – had acquired the band’s trademark back in 2005 and now performed under the name without Clivilles.
‘Freedom Williams [is] solely misrepresenting C&C Music Factory,’ he said in a social media post that suggested Williams was using the band name without permission.
‘Please vent on his personal page and know that this is not a C&C Music Factory Participation,’ he continued, adding that the group ‘does not participate nor side with any specific political party.’
The Freedom 250 concert was organized by Trump appointee Keith Krach, and the event says that it ‘serves as the official public–private partnership’ to create major events for the US’ 250th anniversary.
In a statement on his personal website, Krach explained the organization’s aims.
After saying he was ‘grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to execute his vision for Freedom 250,’ he wrote, ‘At its core, Freedom 250 is a national movement – bringing states, businesses, organizations, and citizens together to honor our history, cherish our God-given freedoms and help build a golden age of opportunity for the next 250 years.’
On January 29 last year, shortly after he retook office, Trump announced that he was creating the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.
As part of his executive order, Trump named himself the chair of the task force, while Vice President JD Vance was designated as its vice chair.
