Concerts by nine musical acts on the National Mall were announced Wednesday as part of the 250th anniversary celebration of the country’s founding. That lineup has been whittled within days, however, with seven of the announced artists saying they would not perform, and two of them mentioning President Donald Trump in their announcements.
While the concerts at the “Great American State Fair” and other events for the celebration are being organized by Freedom 250, a nonpartisan group, rapper Young MC said artists weren’t made aware of the political involvement of the organizers. Trump has repeatedly touted the celebrations and his involvement in planning them.
“I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,” the “Bust a Move” rapper wrote on Facebook. “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.”