Martina McBride Drops Out of Freedom 250 Festival Ahead of America’s Birthday Celebration
Country singer Martina McBride has withdrawn from the Freedom 250 concert series just one day after the event was announced, saying she felt the festival was not as nonpartisan as it had been presented to her. McBride said on Instagram that she had initially been told the opportunity was for a nonpartisan celebration, but later learned that what she had been assured “is, in fact, not what is happening.” She said she had asked many questions before agreeing and believed the event would celebrate all 50 states while bringing people together through music. After the lineup and details began to change, she said she chose to step away.
McBride had been scheduled to perform on June 25, the opening night of Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair, a free 16-day festival planned for the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event is designed to mark America’s 250th anniversary with concerts, military tributes, patriotic programming, and state-focused showcases running from June 25 through July 10.
Her departure came amid a wave of other cancellations following the announcement of the lineup. Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day & The Time, and The Commodores also pulled out of the festival. Michaels said his team was originally told the event would be a broad celebration of the country through music and a tribute to veterans, active-duty military, first responders, teachers, and working Americans. He later said the event had “evolved into something much more divisive” than what he had agreed to join.
Despite the exits, several acts remain on the bill, including Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory. The festival also drew attention after Milli Vanilli was listed among the performers. Jodie Rocco, one of the original studio vocalists associated with the group, told the Associated Press that neither she nor other members had been asked to appear. Surviving Milli Vanilli frontman Fab Morvan, however, said he plans to perform and described the event as a chance to unite people through music rather than division.
Vanilla Ice also confirmed his support for the festival, with a representative telling the Associated Press that he is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and that everyone is welcome to attend.
Freedom 250 was launched by President Trump last year to lead the national celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. The organization describes itself as a nonpartisan group, and former State Department official Keith Krach serves as CEO. The Great American State Fair is expected to feature concerts, state exhibitions, and themed programming including Military & Veterans Appreciation Day, Faith Values and Inspiration Day, and MAHA Monday, which will focus on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative.
