Martina McBride is the latest to pull out of Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 concert series for the Great American State Fair this summer, saying it has “turned out to be misguided.”
The singer-songwriter took to her Instagram account on Thursday, telling fans that she initially accepted the opportunity thinking it would be a nonpartisan event.
“I would like to talk to you and clear the air,” she wrote. “I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25. I had the opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked a lot of questions and made sure that this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate all 50 states. In my mind, I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can do. I saw it as just a bigger version of the many state fairs I’ve performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special, right?” Well? Things started changing yesterday, and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.
McBride continued, “I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who felt like they didn’t have a voice. It bothers me greatly that any fan who has been touched by my music might now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you that’s not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out to me. I hope to be back in the DC area very soon.”
The “Independence Day” singer’s exit from the event comes after Young MC, Morris Day and the Commodores also pulled out. Milli Vanilli singer Jody Rocco also questioned their inclusion, before saying that no member of the group was consulted about the performance.
The Great American State Fair, a 16-day event from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s birth, is organized by the President’s Freedom 250 organization.
Among the artists still ready to perform are Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida and Bret Michaels.
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