Bill Maher says artists quitting America 250 concert makes it look like Dems ‘don’t love America’
Bill Maher ripped the musicians who dropped out of the President Trump-affiliated America 250 concert series, arguing the move makes it look like Democrats “don’t really love America.”
The backlash came after several performers — including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, The Commodores, Morris Day, C+C Music Factory and Young MC — pulled out of the Great American State Fair festivities in Washington, D.C., claiming they were misled about the event.
“They all pulled out,” Maher said during Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time.” “This is a question about what looks best for the Democrats, because I don’t think that looks good.
Bill Maher said artists who quit the Trump-affiliated Freedom 250 event make Dems look like they “don’t love America.” Real Time with BillMaher
“It looks like you are just what people say about you, you don’t really love America. It looks [like] you think Trump is more important than the country itself.”
Maher argued that the performers made a mistake by abandoning the event celebrating America’s 250th birthday and said their exit only turned it into a full-blown “MAGA rally.”
“Now it’s just a big MAGA rally, this whole thing,” he said. “Now it’s Trump and Lee Greenwood.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to play this gig? Can’t we all just celebrate America itself and leave Trump out of it?”
Trump revealed Thursday which performers he has lined up for the celebration.
“They all pulled out,” Maher said, arguing the event has turned into a “big MAGA rally” with Trump and Lee Greenwood. Real Time with BillMaher
“We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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 said country singer Lee Greenwood will introduce him with a performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Country singer Martina McBride pulled out of the concert, claiming the event was “misleading.” Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Rock star Bret Michaels echoed McBride’s comments when he dropped out. Getty Images for Stagecoach
The president also touted tenor Christopher Macchio, who is slated to perform “Nessun Dorma,” “Hallelujah,” “Ave Maria,” “God Bless America” and other songs.
“Not since the legendary Luciano Pavarotti has there been such a voice!” Trump said.
Trump added that the US Army Band, Armed Forces Choir, US Marine Band and Joint Armed Forces Chorus will perform “all of your favorite Hits.”
Trump unveiled a new Freedom 250 lineup featuring Lee Greenwood, Christopher Macchio and military bands. WireImage
The Freedom 250 concert series is set to take over the National Mall from June 25 through July 10. AP Photo/John McDonnell
“PLUS a fine and highly dignified gentleman known as, President DONALD J. TRUMP” will speak at the rally, he added.
Freedom 250, created by a Trump executive order to help commemorate America’s 250th birthday, previously announced Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida and Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan among its original lineup.
The free concert series is set to take over the National Mall from June 25 through July 10.
