Trump shifts America 250 kickoff from concerts to DC rally
What’s new: the June 24 event will open a 16-day National Mall fair after several performers withdrew over White House ties.
President Donald Trump is replacing a planned concert-led kickoff for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration with what he called a major rally in Washington on June 24. The event is tied to Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair, a 16-day exposition set for June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall. The shift follows the exit of several scheduled performers, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC and The Commodores, who cited the event’s affiliation with the White House. Trump said Lee Greenwood will introduce him and Christopher Macchio will perform. Congress has allocated $150 million for the broader America 250 celebration, while Freedom 250 is separately organizing high-profile events linked to the White House.