U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that he would step in to perform at a concert marking the 250th anniversary of America's founding, after several artists boycotted the event over its political leanings.
"I'm a guaranteed box-office draw," Trump said, indicating he would take the stage himself.
On Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, "Some of the Artists are getting a really bad case of the 'yips' just prior to the performance." He added, "Therefore, I am thinking about bringing in a sure-fire 'sell out' anywhere in the World, a person who draws far bigger crowds than 'Elvis' in his prime, a person who can hold an audience without the need for a guitar, a person who loves our Country more than anyone, and a person that some refer to as the greatest President in History, Donald J. Trump."
Trump also hinted at staging a rally based on his own speech. "I will make a major Speech in place of the overpaid third rate Artists," he wrote. "I am directing that the feasibility of holding an 'AMERICA IS BACK' Rally, in Washington, D.C., at the same time and place, be looked into."
Trump signaled his willingness to take the stage himself after more than five of the nine artists scheduled to perform at the 250th anniversary concert pulled out. The organizers subsequently announced that Trump would open the festivities at the kickoff ceremony on the 24th of next month.
The event in question is the "Great American State Fair," a 16-day concert beginning on the 25th of next month at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., hosted by Freedom250, an organization established by the Trump administration. Freedom250 claims to be a nonpartisan group, saying it is "solely dedicated to bringing Americans together to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding." However, the group has drawn criticism because Trump personally appointed its leader, and on the 17th it held a Christian prayer service that featured a video message from Trump.
Shortly after the lineup was announced, a wave of cancellations began with rappers Morris Day and Young MC. Bret Michaels, lead vocalist of the rock band Poison, announced his withdrawal, saying, "Sadly, what was proposed to me to celebrate our country has shifted into something far more divisive than what I had agreed to be a part of."
Other artists, however, are pressing ahead with their performances. Rapper Vanilla Ice defended the event in an Instagram video caption, calling it "a celebration of America's birthday." Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli also said he would "perform as scheduled."
