In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump slammed several “third-rate artists” who pulled out of the Freedom 250 concert series and suggested alternative events.
“I understand that artists are in the yips regarding Wednesday’s performance, so I’m looking to take my number one attraction anywhere in the world,” he wrote, calling himself “a man who draws far larger audiences than Elvis in his prime.”
He continued in his statement, adding that he will deliver a “huge” speech that will “move this country forward, as we have done since I became president.”
“Two years ago America died. Now we have the ‘hottest’ country anywhere in the world. I don’t want so-called ‘artists’ who are paid too much money and aren’t happy. I just want to be surrounded by happy people, smart people, successful people, people who know how to win,” Trump continued.
“Therefore, copying this truth, I direct members of Congress to consider the possibility of holding an America Is Back Rally on Wednesday at the same time and location in Washington, D.C. Only great patriots are invited. It will be a wild and beautiful celebration of America!”
It remains unclear why the president decided to hold the event on June 3.
The president’s statement came after multiple artists, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Morris Day & the Time, Young MC, and The Commodores, each withdrew from the concert series, which was scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10.
In separate announcements breaking the news of the cancellation, the artists all claimed they had been misled about the nature of the event.
“I was given the opportunity to perform at a bipartisan event that turned out to be misleading,” McBride wrote in an Instagram post Thursday.
Young MC claimed in a statement on Instagram that “the artists were never informed of any political involvement in the event.” The rapper also called the concert a “bait and switch” in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
In a statement on social media, Michaels told fans he was leaving the show because “what was offered to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something far more divisive than what I agreed to appear on.”
The former Poison frontman added that he and his band had also received threats over their decision to perform.
Confirmed performers so far include Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan.
Rapper Flo Rida has not yet made a statement on whether she will perform.
