Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and More Back Out of ‘Divisive’ Freedom 250 Event

The Great American State Fair organized by Freedom 250 has been dealt yet another blow as more artists back out from the event.

Martina McBride, The Commodores and Poison’s Bret Michaels all announced on Thursday, May 28, they would not be performing at the Great American State Fair.

McBride, 59, made the decision after realizing the event was not what Freedom 250 initially described. (The organization has faced backlash over its ties to President Donald Trump in the past.)

“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” the “Independence Day” singer wrote in a message shared via X. “I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.”

The country singer explained that she originally viewed the festival as an opportunity to unite people through music.

“In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,” she continued. “I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special.”

However, McBride said her understanding of the event changed and it was “not what is happening.”

The Grammy winner went on to say that she was concerned about disappointing fans who have “been moved” by her music over the years and who might have felt like she was “abandoning the meaning” behind her songs.

McBride concluded by writing, “I assure you that is not the case.”

The Commodores were also previously announced as part of the lineup, but they, too, opted to back out of the event.

“The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair,” the group wrote on social media. “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.”

Michaels, 63, released a similar statement and said in a message on Instagram that when he was told about the event, “it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life.”

The “Nothing But a Good Time” artist added that it “evolved into something much more divisive,” and he “made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”

As the National Enquirer previously reported, Milli Vanilli, Young MC and Morris Day and the Time canceled their appearances as well, with Jodie Rocco of Milli Vanilli claiming that she was unaware of ever being invited to perform in the first place.