The upcoming 2026 U.S. Semiquincentennial celebrations on the National Mall are hitting a serious snag. Trump’s Great American State Fair, organized by the Freedom 250 nonprofit, is losing its musical lineup fast. Poison frontman Bret Michaels, country star Martina McBride, and The Commodores have all canceled their scheduled performances.
Currently, Vanilla Ice is the only enthusiastically confirmed act left on the bill.
Michaels announced his withdrawal after citing “completely unfounded and unforgivable” safety threats directed at him and his family, noting the atmosphere had become “divisive.” McBride echoed similar sentiments, stating she was misled into believing the 16-day exposition was a strictly nonpartisan event. The Commodores kept their exit brief, noting they “choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.”
The cancellations are spreading across the roster. Rapper Young MC and Morris Day & The Time have also abruptly pulled their sets, according to an AP News report that also confirmed Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan intends to keep his slot to “entertain and unite people, not divide them.” The status of other announced performers like Flo Rida remains unclear.
The fair is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10, 2026. The Trump political camp has a long history of friction with the music industry over the use of artists’ work at political rallies. In a direct counter-move to the Freedom 250 events, activist and guitarist Tom Morello announced the Power To The People Festival. That protest concert is scheduled for October in Maryland and features Bruce Springsteen, the Foo Fighters, and Joan Baez.