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The United States (US) President Donald Trump has called for the cancellation of upcoming concerts planned to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, suggesting they should be replaced with a political rally led by him.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump criticised the event’s musical artistes and urged organisers to cancel the concerts.
“We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” Trump wrote.
The concerts are scheduled to begin on June 25 as part of a major celebration on the National Mall in Washington, organised by Freedom 250, a Trump-supported public-private initiative. The event has faced setbacks after several performers withdrew from the lineup.
Trump claimed some artists were becoming reluctant to perform and suggested replacing them with what he described as a bigger attraction.
“So I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World… DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists,’” he said.
The president also said he had told aides to examine the possibility of holding an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally” on the National Mall. The proposal came after country singer Martina McBride and rock musician Bret Michaels became the latest artists to withdraw from the concert series.
Michaels explained his decision in a social media post, saying: “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.”
The celebrations are part of activities marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. However, the event has attracted criticism and debate over its political tone and the growing number of artist withdrawals.
