While President Donald Trump huffs and puffs over his unfinished White House ballroom (after bulldozing the East Wing for the project and leaving a big hole in the ground), preens over his remodel of the White House Rose Garden, and oversees the construction of an octagonal cage on the South Lawn for UFC fights scheduled on his 80th birthday, a massive bash is set to take place at the National Mall to mark the United States’ 250th birthday. Notably, Trump’s UFC fight celebration is one of many events planned around the anniversary.
On Wednesday, Freedom 250 — the self-described non-partisan organization that “serves as the official public-private partnership” connecting “efforts to deliver the defining presidential moments of this anniversary year” — announced the lineup for the event dubbed the “Great American State Fair on National Mall,” which appears to have confused many. In an X post, Sonny Bunch, culture editor for The Bulwark, wrote, “This is the worst lineup of musical acts I have ever seen.” His sentiment was echoed across the internet, with one commenter, Mike Ginn, remarking on X, “Is this a parody? This can’t be real life. A ‘Great American’ State Fair for our 250th birthday and that is the best you can get?”
The current roster includes Martina McBride, Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, Young MC, C+C Music Factory, Milli Vanilli, the Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Bret Michaels. The celebration in Washington, D.C., is set to kick off on June 25 and continue through July 10. Many expect McBride to perform her 1994 hit “Independence Day,” which was misappropriated by people like Sarah Palin and Sean Hannity; the song was written by songwriter Gretchen Peters’ about an abused woman and not meant to be a patriotic song.
Notably, Morris Day and the Time denied “rumors” that they will be performing. In an Instagram post, the Minnesota music legend wrote, “Morris Day & the Time will not be performing at the ‘Great American State Fair.’” In the caption, he emphasized his post by adding: “It’s A No For Me.”
The event is being billed as a “once-in-a-generation celebration,” according to event organizers. “The celebration will unite and showcase all 56 U.S. states and territories in a single World’s Fair-scale event,” a description on the Freedom 250 website reads. “This is an opportunity for visitors from across America to experience an unforgettable celebration of the people and traditions that define our nation.”
Shortly after returning to office, Trump created a task force to prepare for the 250th anniversary of the the country’s founding, making himself the chair of the task force and Vice President J.D. Vance its vice chair.
