US President Donald Trump has lashed out at musicians who withdrew from the 250th anniversary celebration, branding them 'third rate' and boasting that he himself is the best replacement, claiming he can draw larger crowds than Elvis Presley.

The event, dubbed 'The Great American State Fair,' is scheduled for June 25 to July 10, 2026, on Washington's National Mall. However, several high-profile artists, including country singer Martina McBride and Poison frontman Bret Michaels, have backed out, citing the event's political ties.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the withdrawing artists 'highly paid, Third Rate Artists' and declared himself the 'Number One Attraction anywhere in the World.' Organizers confirmed that Trump will kick off the celebration on June 24.

Bret Michaels stated on Facebook that the event had 'evolved into something much more divisive' and raised safety concerns for his fans and crew. McBride said she was misled into believing the event was nonpartisan.

Other dropouts include Grammy-winning rapper Young MC and funk band the Commodores. However, rappers Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice, along with Fab Morvan, remain on the lineup. Vanilla Ice posted a video insisting the concert is meant to 'bring us all together' and is not a political platform.

The concert is part of a series of White House-planned events for the 250th anniversary, including a UFC fight on White House grounds in June.

Source: www.dw.com