As a wave of concert cancellations for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations is upsetting President Trump to the point that he’s considering giving a speech instead.
Several artists have dropped out of performing at the Freedom 250 concerts, scheduled to take place from June 25 through July 10 on Washington’s National Mall.
Singer Morris Day, rapper Young MC, country artist Martina McBride, pop group Milli Vanilli, funk band Commodores and Poison frontman Bret Michaels have withdrawn since the lineup was announced Wednesday.
“I understand Artists are getting ‘the yips’ having to do with their performance on Wednesday,” Mr. Trump said Saturday on social media.
So he positioned himself as a potential replacement.
“I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ’Artists,’ and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!” he posted.
Three singers — Mr. Michaels, Ms. McBride and Young MC — all criticized how the event was presented to them.
Mr. Michaels, who withdrew on Friday, said, “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.
“Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,” he said, adding that he then “made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”
Ms. McBride said the event “turned out to be misleading,” while Young MC, whose real name is Marvin Young, said performers “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,” he said on social media.
Mr. Day said that “contrary to rumor,” he and his band, the Time, will not perform, adding on social media, “It’s A No For Me.”
Milli Vanilli singer Jodie Rocco told The Associated Press that neither she nor any of the other group members were asked to perform.
“My sister and I were shocked to see our name, Milli Vanilli, as one of the performers,” Ms. Rocco said.
Freedom 250, and its flagship “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall, was born out of the Salute to America 250 Task Force, which the president established via executive order to orchestrate official events for the country’s 250th birthday.
“We respect the rights of any artist to make their own decisions, and our doors remain open to any performer who wants to be part of honoring 250 years of American freedom, culture, and unity,” Freedom 250 said in a statement.
Mr. Trump said he doesn’t want “so-called ‘Artists’ that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy” to perform.
C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain scheduled to perform.
The president said he’s “ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location,” with only “Great Patriots” invited.
He didn’t specify the date of that Wednesday.
