Trump will be the main speaker at the US 250th anniversary event, as other performers drop out
Trump will be the main speaker at the opening of the US 250th anniversary fair in Washington, D.C., while several artists pull out of the planned concert.
Several musical groups have canceled their performances at the event on the National Mall next month that celebrates the United States’ 250th anniversary, but President Donald Trump is still set to be the main speaker.
The 16-day Great American State Fair will begin on June 25, 2026, and run until July 10, 2026. The opening event is planned to happen on the National Mall in Washington, DC, which runs between the US Capitol and the Washington Monument. Freedom 250 is planning the event, which will have music stages, state pavilions, art shows, rides, and other fun things to do.
However, the event’s musical lineup has undergone multiple changes, resulting in several artists withdrawing. Bret Michaels, lead singer of the band Poison, was the fifth act to back out, saying that the event wasn’t what he thought it would be—a nonpartisan party.
A post on social media says that the party’s organizers say Trump will now “personally kick off” the party. They haven’t said why they’re leaving in public, and they haven’t replied to calls for comment.
Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that the concert series may become unnecessary if artists continue to withdraw. He suggested that he give a speech on the National Mall instead. He also said that he was a big draw around the world and brought up the idea of an “America Is Back” gathering.
Freedom 250, a public-private partnership, is overseeing the bigger plan and coordinating the anniversary events with federal agencies.
