Donald Trump says he is considering scrapping a planned series of concerts marking the US’s 250th anniversary after several artists got ‘the yips’ and dropped out.
The president added that he is thinking of replacing them with ‘the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar’ – himself.
Trump said he has told his team to explore the possibility of holding an ‘America is Back’ rally and giving a ‘major speech’.
The concerts were planned as part of the larger Great American State Fair, a 16-day event running from June 25 to July 10, 2026.
Organisers said the fair, organized by the Freedom 250 group, would stretch on the National Mall from the US Capitol to the Washington Monument, with concert stages, state pavilions, exhibits, rides, and other attractions spread across the Mall.
But the musical lineup has been hit by a series of cancellations.
On Friday, Bret Michaels, the lead singer of the rock band Poison, became the fifth performer to withdraw from the concerts, saying that the event was not the nonpartisan celebration that he thought it would be.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump suggested the concert series may no longer be necessary if performers continue to back out.
He wrote: ‘I understand Artists are getting “the yips” having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate “Artists,” and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!‘Two years ago, the United States was DEAD. Now we have the “HOTTEST” Country anywhere in the World. I don’t want so-called “Artists” that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy.
‘I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.
‘So, by copy of this TRUTH, I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location.
‘Only Great Patriots invited — It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’
Freedom 250 is a public-private partnership created by the White House to coordinate celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary alongside federal agencies.
It remains unclear whether replacement musicians will be recruited, or whether Trump’s proposal to substitute a rally for the performances is being seriously considered by organisers.
Other artists, including rapper Flo Rida, known for his 2007 hit Low with T-Pain, are still going to perform. So far, the musician has not posted on his Instagram account about his involvement in the festival.
Rapper Vanilla Ice, known for 90s classic Ice Ice Baby, said in a video on social media: ‘I’m tired of all the news channels dividing this country. We are all one. This is not a political platform. This is celebrating America’s birthday. Nothing too serious just enjoying some fun, dancing and great memories. Hope you guys can join us.’
In a statement, spokeswoman Rachel Reisner said: ‘There is far too much to celebrate about this great nation to let noise and division distract from the incredible moment ahead – and we look forward to welcoming millions of Americans to a fair that belongs to all Americans.’
As part of the Great American State Fair, features a variety of events and concerts including a UFC fight and a Grand Prix race. The US will also print commemorative passports featuring a portrait of Trump.
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