President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a new slate of performers for a major kickoff rally tied to the Great American State Fair, an event scheduled for June 24 in Washington, D.C., as organizers continue to navigate a string of artist withdrawals and public distancing from the celebration.
The rally is being organized by the Trump-backed Freedom 250 organization as part of festivities commemorating America’s 250-year history. The announcement comes after many of the musical acts originally promoted for the event either pulled out or publicly stated they would not be participating.
In a message posted to his Truth Social account, Trump enthusiastically promoted the upcoming gathering.
“On Wednesday, June 24th, at 7 P.M., in magnificent Washington, D.C., now totally beautified, and one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the World, and in celebration of our Country’s 250 Year History, we will be bringing you, LIVE, the Greatest Rally, EVER!” Trump wrote. “It will be special at every level — A Rally to end all Rallies!”
The president also made clear that he intends for the event to focus less on celebrity entertainment and more on patriotic themes and familiar music.
“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. “All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”
Among the performers Trump confirmed is Lee Greenwood, whose patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA” has long been associated with Republican events and Trump rallies. Trump said Greenwood will introduce him with the song, which he described as “one of the Greatest Hits of All Time.”
Trump also announced that opera singer Christopher Macchio will perform several selections, including “Nessun Dorma,” “Hallelujah,” “Ave Maria,” and “God Bless America.”
“Not since the legendary Luciano Pavarotti has there been such a voice!” Trump wrote.
Neither Greenwood nor Macchio’s involvement came as a surprise. Both have appeared at Trump rallies, Republican National Conventions, and Trump’s 2025 inauguration.
In addition to those performers, Trump said attendees can expect appearances from the U.S. Army Band, the Armed Forces Choir, the U.S. Marine Band, and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus. Trump also jokingly highlighted a speech by “a fine and highly dignified gentleman known as, President DONALD J. TRUMP!”
The revised lineup follows significant turbulence surrounding the event’s originally announced concert series. Freedom 250 had previously promoted a first wave of performers that included Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels.
However, several artists quickly announced they would not participate. Young MC and Morris Day and The Time said they were not performing, with Young MC claiming artists had not been informed about political involvement with the event. In the days that followed, The Commodores, Martina McBride, and Bret Michaels also withdrew. Members affiliated with C+C Music Factory distanced themselves, and singers connected to Milli Vanilli’s early recordings likewise declined participation. Surviving Milli Vanilli frontman Fab Morvan later confirmed his withdrawal in a CNN interview.
Flo Rida has not publicly commented on his status.
Vanilla Ice, meanwhile, repeatedly expressed willingness to participate. In interviews, he said music should bring people together and should not be viewed through a political lens. Speaking on Fox News this week, however, he acknowledged he was uncertain whether he remained part of the event.
“I hope so,” he said. “I don’t even know.”
Despite the uncertainty, Vanilla Ice said he plans to attend regardless.
“This is going to be an epic birthday for our country,” he said. “I’m honored. And it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
As of Thursday, Freedom 250 had not confirmed whether Vanilla Ice or Flo Rida would ultimately perform. The organization previously said its “doors remain open” to artists interested in participating, though that statement came before Trump publicly expressed support for scrapping the broader concert series altogether.
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