Plans for a massive July 4 celebration on the National Mall to mark America’s 250th birthday have hit a snag, with several high-profile performers distancing themselves from the event after learning of its political connections. Young MC, Morris Day and The Time, and the group C+C Music Factory have all publicly stated they will not take part in what organizers call “The Great American State Fair.”
Young MC took to Facebook on Wednesday to announce his withdrawal, writing, “I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT.” He noted that performers were never told about any political involvement, and despite organizers’ claims of non-partisanship, he pointed to a SPIN magazine article describing the event as “Trump-backed.” “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged,” he added.
C+C Music Factory vocalist Freedom Williams posted a profanity-laced Instagram video explaining his decision. “He didn’t mention [President] Trump. I’m getting all these texts, ‘We’re gonna cancel C+C Music Factory, this is going to be a terrible show,’” Williams said. “So I told my agent, ‘Yeah, no, I ain’t good to do that’… I don’t f— with Trump. I don’t give a f— about Trump… I know the type of f—ing anarchy he creates.”
Morris Day and The Time also issued a statement on Facebook, sharing a graphic that read, “Contrary To Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing At The ‘GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR.’” In the caption, Day added simply, “It’s a No For Me.”
The pullouts come as the event, organized by the Freedom 250 group, is still expected to feature country star Martina McBride, rappers Flo Rida, and Vanilla Ice. The National Mall will also host a World Cup fan zone as part of broader U.S. 250th birthday celebrations, but this specific fair has drawn scrutiny over its political undertones.
Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach had previously described the fair as an effort to “bring together people from all 56 states and territories to celebrate the traditions, innovation, music, military heritage, freedom and entrepreneurial spirit that define our nation.” The organization did not respond to requests for comment on the artists’ decisions to withdraw.
The controversy underscores the deepening political divide in American culture, a trend that experts warn is exacerbating the nation’s depression crisis. The event’s Trump ties have also revived debates about the use of public spaces for politically charged gatherings, especially as the country grapples with broader polarization.
While the fair is still moving forward, the loss of multiple acts highlights the challenges of staging a unity-themed celebration in a hyper-partisan environment. For now, the National Mall will see a scaled-down lineup, as performers make clear they want no part in what they see as a politically motivated spectacle.
