Trump calls himself ‘world’s number one attraction’, considers replacement artists for 250th anniversary | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) responded to a wave of cancellations by artists scheduled to perform in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the US, proposing a better alternative.
Trump Considers ‘America Is Back’ Rally
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I’m thinking about bringing the number one attraction anywhere in the world, a man who has far bigger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does it without a guitar, a man who loves our country more than anyone, and a man who some say is the greatest president in history (GOAT!), DONALD J. Art, third, highly paid to take the place of these Rate’Art, third, to take the keynote spot.”
Noting that he is moving the country forward, he added: “As I have been doing since I was president! Two years ago, the United States was DEAD. Now we have the “WORST” country anywhere in the world. I don’t want so-called “Artists” who get too much money, who are not happy. I want to be surrounded only by Happy people, Smart people, Successful people copy it. I am ordering my representatives to look into the feasibility holding the AMERICA IS BACK rally on Wednesday in Washington, DC, at the same time and place.”
Read also | Trump praises PM Modi as he virtually joins 250th Independence Day celebrations
Will Trump return to outdoor events?
Since a gunman tried to assassinate Trump during his 2024 campaign event in Butler, Trump has largely avoided large outdoor gatherings. In April, his security guards opened fire at the Washington Hilton on a man who authorities say was trying to attack a gala dinner Trump was attending.
Trump’s announcement of the rally in Washington comes at a low point in his popularity, with the war in Iran and rising gas prices among issues weighing on his popularity as Republicans fear midterm congressional elections.
Artists leave the party
His remarks came days after at least five of the nine performers pulled out of a performance on the National Mall shortly after they were announced, saying the event, which began on June 25, was more political than they were led to be, Bloomberg reported.
Cancellations at the Freedom 250 came from Martin McBride, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time and Bret Michaels. Several others — C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida — have not announced a change of plans. Vanilla Ice defended the event in a video on social media, saying it was “not a political platform”.
Freedom 250, which is organizing the events, is a group that Trump described as a public-private nonprofit organization that also organized an apparently Christian prayer meeting on May 17 that included a video message from the US president.
Read also | The Washington Monument turned a giant birthday candle for America’s 250th anniversary
Freedom 250 has released the list of performers
According to the Freedom250 website, The Great American State Fair will bring together representatives from 56 states and territories for a “World’s Fair-style celebration” of America’s 250th birthday, featuring live entertainment, immersive exhibits, patriotic tributes, displays of innovation, cultural programming and family-friendly attractions from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. The Great American State Fair will feature headlining performances by legendary artists every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. In the coming weeks, Freedom 250 will continue to announce additional performers, speakers and participants.
While it remains unclear whether Trump will ultimately proceed with the proposed “America is Back” rally, organizers of the Freedom 250 events are moving forward with the program, with additional performers and speakers expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
