OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
1:51 PM – Friday, May 29, 2026
Country Singer Martina McBride announced she will no longer perform at the upcoming Great American State Fair celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, claiming organizers were “misleading” about the event being “nonpartisan,” despite previously singing at a White House event during the Obama administration.
On Thursday, a day after “Freedom 250” revealed the music and military performers for the 16-day fair on the National Mall, the 59-year-old singer issued a scathing statement on social media.
“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was 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,” the “Independence Day” singer explained. “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. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special.”
“Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even,” she continued. “Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
“I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have 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. I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the D.C. area soon,” she concluded.
Users on X quickly pointed out that McBride had no problem performing at the White House in 2009 during former President Barack Obama’s first term. She sang a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “You and I” in the East Room during an event honoring Wonder as he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Freedom 250 spokesperson Julia Friedland told The Hill on Friday that McBride’s complaint did not represent the reality of the event.
“It is inherently nonpolitical. It is a celebration of our country,” Friedland said of the fair.
“I don’t think there’s anything partisan about America being around for 250 years,” she said, adding that Freedom 250 events are intended to celebrate American independence and are open to all Americans.
She said she could not speak to the exact negotiations between event organizers and artists, but confirmed that they promoted the event as nonpartisan.
Rock singer Bret Michaels also announced on Friday that he would be backing out of his planned performance on Friday, July 3rd, citing “threats.”
“When this opportunity was originally presented to my team, 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. As the son of a veteran, and coming from a family that has proudly served, that is something I have always been honored to support,” Michaels wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance,” his statement continued.
He added that the decision was not “about politics” and that “everyone is entitled to their own opinions.”
“As a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously,” he wrote. “I believe in our country, in the freedoms we’re afforded, and in the idea that for over 250 years we have gone through both highs and lows together and remained resilient.”
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