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What once seemed like a celebration of America’s history has devolved into a politically charged event of divisiveness, that some fans believe is just a veiled ego boost for the much maligned President. It seems like that sentiment has affected which musicians actually want to perform as a part of those festivities.
What Is Going On With America 250?
The celebration has been billed as a several week long affair promising music, games, special events, ceremonies, and more to the people who come down to Washington DC. One such event is the Great American State Fair, which the White House says is a 16 day long event held at the National Mall to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, an initiative by President Trump.
However, it appears some of the acts that the White House claimed they’ve booked have dispelled those rumors, emphatically saying they won’t be performing, notably, from the Hip Hop and R&B community. It began with the announcement, which claimed that Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Bret Michaels, The Commodores, Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, and the surviving members of Milli Vanilli would be performing at the fair. However, two other acts listed, Hip Hop artist Young MC, best known for “Bust A Move.” And legendary funk act, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing.
Shortly after the announcement dropped, Day posted to his Facebook revealing the truth. “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at The Great American State Fair,” Day posted on Facebook. “It’s a no for me.”
Next, Young MC also announced he was dropping out, citing that he didn’t know it would be so political.
““I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,” Young MC posted on Instagram. “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.”
It also appears frontman of C+C Music Factory, Freedom Williams is considering dropping out of the event. In a profanity-laced Instagram video, Williams asserted he did not support Trump or his policies. But, due to the backlash is considering showing “angry commenters” can’t tell them what to do.
OOF
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 28, 2026
Young MC has busted a move pic.twitter.com/3WF7qc9uD6
Who Else Is Pulling Out Of The Fair?
The situation with Milli Vanili is more complicated. First off, the duo only has one member, with Rob Pilatus having died from an overdose back in 1998. Surviving member Fab Morvan still performs, though has not commented on the situation. However, two of the actual vocalists for the group, sisters Linda and Jodie Rocco refute these claims, saying they, nor any other group members, have been asked to go.
“My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli’, as one of the performers,” Jodie Rocco wrote in an email.
Vanilla Ice, who has “NON-POLITICAL” in his X bio, has confirmed he’ll perform in a statement through his agent. “He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!” a representative for Ice wrote to AP. “Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday and our Freedom!”
Flo Rida is currently abroad and has not responded to the report either.
Fans commented on lacking star power, considering Trump pardoned rappers such as Kodak Black, Lil Wayne, and NBA Youngboy.
“Republicans are so popular they got shafted by an artist no one’s heard from for 40 years,” one user posted.
“America tried – and failed – to book Young MC for the 250th anniversary celebration of democracy. Let that sink in,” another user posted.
“We’re celebrating America with Milli Vanilli A group famous for being a producer-manufactured fraud,” another user posted. “What idiot put this together?”
He’s also struck up a friendship with Nicki Minaj, who’s come under fire for publicly endorsing him.
