What is Freedom 250 and why are musical artists distancing themselves from its concerts?

(NEXSTAR) – A concert series intended to coincide with celebrations for America’s 250th birthday is not proceeding as planned after most of the artists announced for the event said they would not be performing.

The “first wave” of musical acts who were scheduled for the “Great American State Fair” included Martina McBride, The Commodores, Bret Michaels, and “Bust a Move” rapper Young MC, among others. But within days of the May 27 announcement, a majority of the scheduled performers either dropped out or distanced themselves from the concert series. Some, including Martina McBride, Young MC and artists associated with C C Music Factory, cited their skepticism that the Great American State Fair would be a nonpartisan event.

“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” McBride wrote in a statement announcing she would not be taking part.

By early June all but two acts — Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice — had dropped out, and President Trump confirmed that he would be hosting a kickoff rally for the Great American State Fair on June 24 to “take the place” of the absent musical acts. He later announced that Lee Greenwood (“God Bless the U.S.A.”) and opera singer Christopher Macchio would perform at the rally, along with multiple United States military bands and choirs.

Why did artists back........

© The Hill