US President Donald Trump has called for the cancellation of planned concerts marking America’s 250th anniversary, suggesting they be replaced with a large political rally headlined by himself after several scheduled performers withdrew from the event.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised the concert series and the artists involved, arguing that the celebrations should feature a “giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY” instead. He described the performers as “overpriced singers” and said their music was unappealing, adding that they contribute little beyond criticism.
The concerts were set to begin on 25 June as part of a broader Independence Day-related programme on the National Mall in Washington. The event is being organised by Freedom 250, a public-private initiative linked to Trump’s political orbit.
However, multiple artists have withdrawn in recent days, with some citing concerns over the growing political tone surrounding the celebrations. On Friday, country singer Martina McBride and rock musician Bret Michaels, frontman of the band Poison, confirmed they were stepping away from the lineup.
Michaels said in a statement on Facebook that the event had shifted away from what he believed was a unifying national celebration. He said it had become “something much more divisive” than he had agreed to participate in.
The withdrawals followed earlier exits from other performers, reducing the originally announced lineup of nine acts. Trump responded by suggesting that artists were becoming hesitant about taking part, while also promoting the idea of replacing the concerts entirely.
He proposed bringing in what he called the “Number One Attraction anywhere in the world,” referring to himself, and suggested organising a large-scale rally on the National Mall instead. He said he had instructed aides to examine the feasibility of staging an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally,” where he would deliver a speech focused on national direction and political messaging.
Trump has previously sought to shape the tone of America’s 250th anniversary events. Earlier this month, he hosted a mixed martial arts fight in a specially constructed arena on the White House lawn, coinciding with his 80th birthday.
The remaining musical lineup has drawn mixed reactions online, with some social media users mocking the selection of acts whose peak popularity was decades ago. Performers still listed include Vanilla Ice and C+C Music Factory, prompting further criticism and debate about the direction of the celebrations.
The controversy highlights growing tensions around the national anniversary programming, as organisers face questions over whether the events are intended as cultural celebrations or political platforms.
