Trump’s Freedom 250 loses everyone but Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli & C+C Music Factory; Flo Rida has yet to comment

The Trump administration only announced the lineup for their Freedom 250 ‘Great American State Fair’ concerts in DC two days ago, but since then nearly every artist has dropped off. Just as a refresher, this was the initial lineup: Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, C+C Music Factory, Young MC, Poison‘s Bret Michaels, Morris Day & The Time, The Commodores, Martina McBride, and Flo Rida. Morris Day & The Time were first to drop off, writing on Instagram the same day, “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the ‘Great American State Fair.

’” adding, “It’s A No For Me😎.” Later on Wednesday, Young MC dropped, writing on Facebook, “I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT. The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event.

And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed’. I hope to perform in D.C.

in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.” The Commodores also dropped off, releasing this statement: “The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair. Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.

We support the betterment of all Americans.” Martina McBride announced she would not be performing either, releasing a statement that echoes many of the announced performers, saying they understood it to be a nonpartisan event: “I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.

I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states. In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special.

Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.

I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be 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.

I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.

” Bret Michaels also announced he would not be playing for similar reasons in a lengthy Instagram post, saying in part, “As many of you know, I’ve spent my entire career bringing people together through music, positivity and good vibes. My shows have never been about politics. They’re about giving people a place to come together, have a great time and forget about life’s stresses for a few hours.

Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of.” As for the artists who ARE still performing, Vanilla Ice‘s representatives released a statement that reads, “Vanilla Ice is contracted and will perform at the Great American Fair at the National Mall on Friday, June 26. He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!

” He also posted a video to his TikTok saying “I’m super honored to do this concert with everybody” and “it’s all about enjoying the great times of 250 years, man.” Next is Milli Vanilli, and it’s a bit confusing. First singer Jodie Rocco — who, along with her sister Linda Rocco, plus Brad Howell, John Davis, and Charles Shaw, perform as The Real Milli Vanilli (they played on the records) — weighed in, telling the Associated Press that she was shocked to see Milli Vanilli’s name on the lineup and that they were not playing.

“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 said in a statement. But then Fab Morvan, the surviving half of the original duo (who were famously disgraced after it came to light that they didn’t actually sing on the group’s Grammy-winning debut album), released a statement to Consequence saying they would be performing. “I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan said.

“Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of the Great American State Fair as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists. Looking forward to reconnecting with you across the USA this summer and to finally sing Milli Vanilli songs live in person!

” Then there’s C+C Music Factory, which is also kind of confusing for similar reasons. Frontman/rapper Freedom Williams shared a video on his socials, filmed while sitting on a toilet, where he ranted for seven minutes, saying he initially was going to drop off. “My agent called me about three months ago and said, yo, you want to do a show the 25th in Washington?

Yeah. I just did a show in Washington for the Mystics. I did a show six months ago in Washington.

I do shows in Washington all the time. It’s no big deal. He says, yeah, he didn’t say nothing about Trump.

He didn’t mention Trump. So I’m getting all these calls. So I go online.

I’m like, okay, so what’s going on? So I told my agent, yeah, no, I ain’t going to do that.” Later in the rant, he says he changed his mind after all the angry texts and social media comments he got.

“I don’t fuck with Trump. I don’t give a fuck about Trump. I don’t give a fuck about Trump’s family.

I don’t know the n****. I’m from New York. I know the n****.

I know the type of fucking anarchy he creates. But the day I let you motherfuckers tell me what to do is the day I die. I want to make that shit motherfucking crystal clear…” You can watch the whole wild, conspiracy-theory-filled rant below.

But there’s more: While Freedom Williams acquired the name C+C Music Factory in 2003 and used it to perform, original group founder Robert Clivillés (who along with the late David Cole wrote the group’s hits) took to Instagram to say, “With respect to the Freedom 250 concert and Freedom Williams disguising himself as C&C Music Factory, I was neither involved in, consulted regarding, nor have I endorsed the event. Any political, ideological, religious, or personal viewpoints expressed by Freedom Williams are his own and should not be interpreted as reflecting my views, the views of David Cole’s estate, or the views of the original creators and producers behind C+C Music Factory. For many years I have worked to preserve the integrity, legacy, and history of the brand and the music we created.

I believe fans deserve transparency regarding who is representing the group and in what capacity.” Read his whole Instagram post below. That leaves Flo Rida, one of the biggest artists on the lineup with fairly recent hits.

So far he is officially silent on the matter, though Stereogum points out that a Redditor posted a screencap where Flo Rida replied to a negative comment on his instagram with three cry-laughing emojis. Stay tuned. The original lineup poster promised “…and many more” so we could still see Kid Rock appear.

View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Ono3zPi54Z — Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) May 29, 2026 View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram @vanillaiceme This is awesome.

America is turning 250 years old. I’m honored to do this concert and get everybody dancing, That’s what it’s all about. We are all one.

This is to bring everyone together and celebrate the birthday of our country. And all of the soldiers, veterans, army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Police, EMS, Firefighters, space Force, Coast Guard. thank you for your service.

Thank you for our Freedom. Happy birthday America.