President Donald Trump has announced a list of performers set to appear at a rally in Washington D.C. to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “We will have the fabulous Lee Greenwood introducing me with what has turned out to be one of the greatest hits of all time, GOD BLESS THE U.S.A., and the amazing Christopher Macchio, who will sing Nessun Dorma, Hallelujah, Ave Maria, God Bless America, and others.”
He added that the rally will feature the U.S. Army Band, the U.S. Marine Band and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus.
Confirming his own attendance, he said: “PLUS a fine and highly dignified gentleman known as, President DONALD J. TRUMP!”
Various Performers Have Already Dropped Out
President Donald Trump speaking in the Oval Office in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Trump’s announcement comes after a number of performers dropped out of the Freedom 250 celebration events.
Trump floated the idea of replacing “highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists’” with a speech by “the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World,” describing himself as someone who “gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime.”
Multiple artists, including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, and The Commodores, publicly withdrew from the lineup.
Different reasons were cited for the various exits. McBride and Young MC stated they were misled into believing the event was completely nonpartisan, while Michaels cited severe safety concerns and online threats directed toward his crew and family.
Open to Performers Who Want To Appear
Freedom 250 Spokeswoman Rachel Reisner previously told Newsweek in a statement, “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.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 26: Construction continues for the upcoming UFC match on the South Lawn of the White House on May 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump is hosting a UFC match on the White House grounds in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“There is far too much to celebrate about this great nation to let noise and division distract from the incredible moment ahead—and we look forward to welcoming millions of Americans to a fair that belongs to all Americans.”
Organizers have said that the festival is part of a nationwide effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Three performers featured on the event’s original poster are still slated to perform. This includes hip-hop artists Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida, alongside Fab Morvan, who is performing under the Milli Vanilli banner.
What Has Trump Said About Freedom 250?
In his most recent post about the event, Trump wrote, “We will be bringing you, LIVE, the Greatest Rally, EVER! It will be special at every level—A Rally to end all Rallies!”
“We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”
Trump previously said that he did not want “so‑called ‘Artists’ that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy,” stating he preferred to be surrounded by “Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom unveiled a special America250 commemorative aircraft at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on April 29, 2026.
He has framed the rally as a moment of national revival. He claimed that two years ago “the United States was DEAD,” but now it is “the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World.
In a separate earlier post, he wrote, “We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain. Cancel it…”
The rhetoric about performers is a familiar one, as Trump has routinely clashed with entertainers who have moved to distance themselves from his political brand, refusing to let his campaigns or administration make use of their music, or have declined to perform at his events.
Full List of Performers at Freedom 250
These are the artists that are currently confirmed for the event:
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Fab Morvan (Under the Milli Vanilli banner)
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Joint Armed Forces Chorus
Flo Rida is an American rapper and singer, whose 2007 debut and breakout single “Low” was number 1 for ten weeks in the United States. Getty Images.
(Left) Vanilla Ice circa 1990 in New York City and (Right) performing at Mega Beer and 90s Music Festival in 2019. Getty Images.
What Is Freedom 250?
Freedom 250 is the official commemoration of America’s semi‑quincentennial, encompassing nationwide celebrations, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, parades, and historical initiatives coordinated by the White House.
One of these events is the Great American State Fair, where the National Mall will transform into a World Fair to mark America’s 250th birthday.
Workers continue to build the Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall on May 28, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said, “As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom and opportunity, the National Mall will once again serve as the stage for telling our nation’s story. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, the Great American State Fair will bring all 56 states and territories together in one place, showcasing the people, landscapes, and traditions that define this country.”
Freedom 250 is tied to an executive order signed by Trump early in his second term, creating the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday to plan and coordinate federal anniversary events.
The administration launched Freedom 250 as the primary initiative and branding arm for those efforts.
Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner told Newsweek that the organization is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation’s 250th anniversary, focused on signature celebrations that “honor our history and engage all Americans—welcoming all who share our goal of commemorating this milestone in a way that uplifts and unites America.”
When Will the America 250 Celebrations Begin?
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, there are huge celebrations to come.
The semiquincentennial celebrations will include an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) card hosted by the president at the
White House on Flag Day, June 14. This will also coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday.
The Great American State Fair, meanwhile, will run from June 25 to July 10 and span from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.
The 4th of July celebrations will also see firework displays across the country, including a 40-minute show in Washington, ran by Freedom 250.
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