Martina McBride Backs Out of Trump’s Great American State Fair, Says She Was ‘Misled’

Country star Martina McBride has exited the President Donald Trump-backed Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. this June.

The Great American State Fair, presented by the Trump-founded organization Freedom 250, is set to take place from June 25 to July 10 at the National Mall. McBride noted in an Instagram post that she was originally “presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”

“I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,” McBride said. “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 said that she viewed the event like larger state fairs she’s performed at in the past, noting it sounded “fun” and “wholesome even.” However, when the lineup was announced on Wednesday, McBride said “things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”

“I’ve spend my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues,” McBride said. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who felt like they didn’t have one. 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 and I assure you, that is not the case.”

McBride said she will no longer be performing at The Great American Fair and hopes to return to Washington, D.C. to see fans soon.

McBride isn’t alone; she follows suite of a handful of artists who have also pulled-out of the event. Young MC told Vibe that the Fair was misrepresented to him and he would have never agreed to perform if he knew it was a politically-motivated event. Additionally, the group Milli Vanilli said they are not performing at the Fair, even though their name appeared on promotional material. Morris Day & The Time and The Commodores also pulled their names from the lineup.

C+C Music Factory is still scheduled to perform, though the group received backlash about performing, leading to an angry rant from rapper Freedom Williams. Others still slated to perform include Vanilla Ice, Bret Michaels, and Flo Rida.

The Great American State Fair is described as a “once-in-a-generation celebration” which will feature “live music, carnival rides, and dozens of hands-on partner activations, where visitors can taste, touch, and experience what makes each state and territory unique.”

Interested eventgoers can sign up for free admission here.