Performers Pull Out Of 250th Anniversary Concerts

(SeaPRwire) –   Only days after Freedom 250—an officially nonpartisan nonprofit organizing group—unveiled a “first wave” of performers for the U.S. Semiquincentennial concert series in Washington, D.C., more than half of those acts announced they are withdrawing because the event carries political overtones.

Freedom 250, which former President Donald Trump has publicly supported, revealed nine musical acts on Wednesday for “The Great American State Fair”—one of several events the Trump Administration has promoted to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, a number of performers have pulled out in recent days.

TIME has reached out to Freedom 250 to request comment.

This isn’t the first time Trump has faced pushback from the artistic community. Several artists, including Sabrina Carpenter, have previously opposed the Administration’s use of their songs to advance its political agenda on social media.

Who’s out?

Country singer-songwriter Martina McBride shared in a Thursday social media post that she was “presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.” She added that during the lead-up, she asked multiple questions and was assured by organizers of nonpartisanship, but “yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”

McBride’s performance was initially set for June 25, but she noted fans reached out to her after her name was publicly listed in the lineup. “I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues,” she added. “It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case.”

Rapper Young MC had a June 26 performance slot, but he announced the cancellation of his appearance in a Facebook post. “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” he wrote, adding that despite organizers’ claims the event is nonpartisan, reports state it is still “Trump-backed.” He then said, “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”

American funk and soul group The Commodores were also among those who canceled their June 27 performance. The group posted across their social media accounts on Thursday: “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”

Funk band Morris Day and The Time were also scheduled to perform on June 27, but in a May 27 Instagram post, leader Morris Day confirmed that, “contrary to rumor,” their group won’t take the stage. “It’s A No For Me,” Day wrote in the post’s caption, without further explanation.

Bret Michaels announced in a lengthy early Friday social media post that he’s bowing out of the event, claiming it has “evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be part of.” Michaels, who won the Trump-hosted Celebrity Apprentice in 2010, also cited concerns about the safety of his fans, band, and crew. “This isn’t about politics,” he wrote. “It’s about staying true to what I’ve always believed in.” Michaels added that he plans to perform in D.C. later “under circumstances where the focus can remain on what it should be—the music and the fans.”

Who’s in?

American rapper Vanilla Ice, known for his 1990 hit “Ice Ice Baby,” said in a Thursday Instagram video that he still intends to participate in the concert and is “super honored” to do so. In the caption, he wrote: “This is to bring us all together. 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.”

In a long, rambling social media video, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said he initially considered backing out of the booking amid the backlash but is now thinking about performing anyway out of spite toward those who criticized his participation. “Do not dictate shit to me. So you can do what the f-ck you want to do. Like I said, f-ck Trump and f-ck you too. But I just might do it …and you can’t cancel shit.”

Fab Morvan, one-half of the 1980s pop group Milli Vanilli, told the Associated Press in a Thursday statement that he will take part in the concert series. Studio vocalists from the group said they won’t perform, though the Guardian reported earlier this year that Morvan now owns the rights to the Milli Vanilli name. Morvan’s photo was also used in The Great American State Fair’s promotional material. “I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan said. “Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”

American rapper Flo Rida was also named by Freedom 250 as a scheduled performer. TIME has reached out to his team to confirm his plans.

Freedom 250 stated in its announcement that it will reveal more performers in the coming weeks.