Rock star Bret Michaels has become the latest musician to decline to participate in President Donald Trump's event marking the 250th anniversary of Independence.
Michaels's departure from the concert series brings the total number of artists who have pulled out to five.
Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair is a free 16-day festival taking place on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10 and will include a UFC fight in the star-studded Octagon Arena on the South Lawn of the White House.
The Trump-linked event was billed as a non-political, patriotic celebration featuring concerts and honoring military personnel, but some of the invited musicians claim they were misled about the event's purpose and withdrew from the event out of concern it no longer aligned with their values.
While artists like Michaels and Young MC have declined to participate in the Freedom 250, many performers still plan to participate.
Milli Vanilli frontman Fab Morvan said he will continue to perform because he is "here to entertain and bring people together, not divide them.".
C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said the band planned to stop performing after learning of the Trump connection, but ultimately decided to perform, and condemned fans who tried to "cancel" him and tell him where he could perform.
Despite pressure from fans, Vanilla Ice did not withdraw from his participation, and Flo Rida is still listed as a performer at the large-scale event.
Those tired celebrities might be joining Trump's event, but Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Jane Fonda, Rufus Wainwright and Joy Reid will be performing at the "No Kings" anti-Trump movement concert on June 14, which will be broadcast free nationwide.
Who dropped out of the Freedom 250 project?
Bret Michaels
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«"When my team was first approached about this opportunity, it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, service members, first responders, teachers, and hardworking Americans from all walks of life," Poison frontman Bret Michaels wrote on Instagram.
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Michaels concluded, "Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has turned into something far more controversial than I agreed to. Concerns have also been raised for the safety of my fans, band, crew, family, and myself, including completely unfounded and inexcusable threats. Therefore, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from this performance.".
Martina McBride
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«"I'd like to speak with you and clarify the situation. I will not be performing at the Great American Fair on June 25th," country music legend Martina McBride wrote on social media. "I was offered a performance at a non-political event, but it turned out to be a scam.".
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«"I've spent my entire career singing about real people with real problems," she continued. "I've been fortunate to be a voice for those who felt like they didn't have one.".
McBride concluded, "It deeply saddens me that some fans who have been touched by my music might now feel I'm abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that's not the case. I appreciate every fan who has reached out to me. I hope to return to Washington very soon.".
Young MC
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«"I've informed my agents that I will not be performing at Freedom 250," rapper Young MC wrote on Instagram on May 28. "The artists were never informed of any political implications of the event. And despite organizers' claims that the event is nonpartisan, Spin magazine is describing it as a Trump-backed event.".
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«"I hope to perform in Washington, D.C., at an event that's not so politically charged in the near future," Young MC concluded.
Morris Day and Time«
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«"Contrary to rumors, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the Great American State Fair," Morris Day wrote on Instagram.
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The caption on the post read: "This is unacceptable to me.".
Commodores
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«"The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair," funk-soul band The Commodores wrote on Instagram on May 28.
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«"Our music has always been our voice, and we have chosen not to publicly identify with any political party. We support the well-being of all Americans," the statement concluded.
This article originally appeared on Out: Trump's Freedom 250 event has lost another musician: Bret Michaels has pulled out.
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