On May 29, 2026, a list of nine performers was announced for the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 25 to July 10 at the National Mall. By May 30, several performers, including country singer Martina McBride, announced they would no longer participate in the event. McBride stated in a social media post that she felt misled about the nature of the event, which she believed was nonpartisan. She expressed her disappointment, saying her understanding of the event changed and she was assured it would celebrate all 50 states.
Other performers who canceled include C+C Music Factory, Milli Vanilli, Morris Day and the Time, The Commodores, and Young MC. Some cited concerns regarding the association of Freedom 250, the organization organizing the fair, with President Donald Trump as a reason for their withdrawal. Young MC also mentioned in a social media post that he was not informed about any political involvement in the event. Freedom 250's CEO, Keith Krach, previously highlighted Trump's role in establishing the organization and its mission to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.
As of May 30, Vanilla Ice was the only confirmed performer remaining for the event, with no updates on the other cancellations or replacement acts.
