Artists drop out of America 250 celebration over Trump connection

EntertainmentPolitics
29 May 2026 • 2:42 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Artists drop out of America 250 celebration over Trump connection

  • The Great American State Fair, scheduled for June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall, is part of the nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership established by the Trump administration, the fair announced a lineup of artists including Martina McBride and Flo Rida.
  • Within hours of the announcement, rapper Young MC and Morris Day of The Time pulled out, with Young MC citing political involvement and stating artists were not informed of such ties.
  • Freedom 250, despite presenting itself as nonpartisan, has connections to the Trump administration and is funded by Trump-aligned tech firms Oracle and Palantir, along with federal contractors.
  • Lawmakers and watchdog groups have raised concerns about Freedom 250's funding and its bypassing of a congressionally established commission, with some questioning donor access to the president.

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