Vanilla Ice to Perform at State Fair After Artists Withdraw, Trump Suggests Rally
6 verified3 unconfirmed
Rapper Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, confirmed he will perform at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after several other artists withdrew, citing concerns over the event’s political nature. President Donald Trump responded by suggesting on Truth Social that planned musical performances be canceled and replaced with a political rally. The fair, organized by Freedom 250, is scheduled from June 24 to July 10 on the National Mall as part of the nation’s 250th-birthday celebrations. Van Winkle told CBS News he would perform for anyone, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and said he views the event as a celebration of America, not politics. Multiple artists, including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels, backed out, stating they were misled about the event’s political affiliation. Freedom 250 officials maintain the event is nonpartisan and focused on celebrating the nation’s anniversary. Trump is scheduled to speak at the fair’s opening ceremony on June 24.
What’s verified
Several artists withdrew from the Great American State Fair: Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels.
The artists said they were misled about the event being political in nature.
President Donald Trump suggested canceling musical performances and holding a political rally instead.
Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle) confirmed he will still perform at the event.
Freedom 250, the organization behind the fair, denies the event is political and calls itself nonpartisan.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the fair’s opening ceremony on June 24.
Not yet confirmed
Van Winkle told CBS News he has never voted in his life and would perform for anyone, including Putin and Iran; this claim is not reported in NBC News.
NBC News includes specific wording from Trump’s Truth Social post referring to “overpriced singers” and calling himself “the GOAT”; these details are not in CBS News.
NBC News notes the existence of a separate 2016 bipartisan commission, America250, while CBS News mentions a 2016 bipartisan commission but provides less detail; the relationship between the two groups is not fully clarified across sources.
Misconceptions
The sources address the misconception that the Great American State Fair is a partisan political event. Several artists stated they believed the event was nonpartisan and withdrew upon learning of its political ties. Freedom 250 officials deny the event is political, asserting it is nonpartisan.
Key figures
Robert Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice)
President Donald Trump
Morris Day and the Time
Young MC
Martina McBride
The Commodores
Bret Michaels
Danielle Alvarez (Freedom 250 spokesperson)
Sources: CBS News, NBC News
