Trump to headline state fair after artists pull out over political ties

President Donald Trump said Saturday he will personally headline the Great American State Fair on Washington's National Mall after several musical acts withdrew from the event over its ties to his administration.

The departures expose a fault line between the event's nonpartisan branding and its origins within the Trump administration, casting uncertainty over a summer-long celebration timed to the nation's 250th anniversary.

Bret Michaels, Martina McBride and The Commodores were among the performers who withdrew from the fair, which runs June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Rapper Flo Rida, Milli Vanilli's Fab Morvan and Vanilla Ice remained on the bill as of Saturday.

Freedom 250, the nonprofit organizing the event, was launched by Trump and is led by a former State Department appointee from his first term. The group has promoted the fair — which includes exhibits, family-friendly attractions and military flyovers alongside music — as a nonpartisan commemoration of America's semiquincentennial.

Trump addressed the withdrawals in a Truth Social post Saturday. "I understand Artists are getting 'the yips' having to do with their performance," Trump said. He offered to step in, describing himself as "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,'" according to ABC7.

Freedom 250 confirmed the president's appearance in an official statement. "We are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration," the organization said, as reported by ABC7. ABC7 also noted that Trump's Truth Social post mistakenly listed the event start date as "Wednesday."

A representative for Vanilla Ice told ABC7 the rapper was "proud to help celebrate America's 250th Anniversary!" and would perform as planned. Flo Rida and Fab Morvan are also scheduled to appear.

The Great American State Fair runs through July 10 on Washington's National Mall, featuring exhibits, family attractions and military flyovers alongside a lineup of musical performances celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.