Vanilla Ice says he is still set to perform at the Freedom 250 concert in Washington, D.C., despite a wave of artists pulling out of the lineup this week. The rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, said the event should be viewed as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, not as a political statement. He argued that “music is not political” and said performers are there to entertain fans, regardless of political affiliation.
The Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair is tied to President Trump’s initiative to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial. The free festival is scheduled to run on the National Mall from June 25 through July 10 and is being presented as part of a broader celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. Organizers describe Freedom 250 as a national, non-partisan group leading the anniversary effort.
Vanilla Ice told TMZ and later posted on Instagram that he felt honored to be included in the event. He said he wanted to “party with America” and bring back the energy of the 1990s. He added that people should focus on dancing and enjoying the music rather than taking the concert too seriously. In his comments, he emphasized that artists play for their fans and should not try to choose who listens to their music.
His remarks came after several performers backed out shortly after the lineup was announced. Martina McBride withdrew one day after being named, saying the promotion around the concert was misleading. Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day & The Time and The Commodores also dropped out. Their departures raised questions about the event’s positioning and whether it was being framed as a purely patriotic celebration or something more closely associated with Trump.
Despite the criticism, several artists remain scheduled to appear, including Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, C+C Music Factory and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli. Vanilla Ice said he would be willing to perform for any audience and pointed to his view that entertainment should cross political boundaries. He said the goal is to bring people together through music and shared celebration.
The rapper has performed at Trump-related venues before, including a New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, late last year. His continued participation in Freedom 250 places him among the few original acts still attached to the concert after the lineup shake-up.
The controversy reflects broader tensions around the event’s identity as it prepares to mark a major national milestone. Supporters say it is a non-partisan tribute to American history, while critics and some former performers have suggested the branding and promotion do not match that description.
