Martina McBride Withdraws From Freedom 250 Over Nonpartisan Confusion

Martina McBride is the latest artist to drop out of the Freedom 250 celebration after saying the event was pitched as nonpartisan but turned out not to be. She announced on Instagram she will not perform at the Great American State Fair on June 25, explaining she was assured the event would celebrate all 50 states and bring people together, but that portrayal was misleading. Other performers including Morris Day, Young MC, The Commodores and Milli Vanilli have also pulled out of the June 25–July 10 event on the National Mall. Freedom 250 is a Trump administration–backed effort to mark the United States' 250th anniversary; a spokesperson says the focus remains on celebrating history and uniting Americans, with more performers to be announced.