Country star Martina McBride is facing backlash from angry fans after appearing to give in to the woke mob and withdrawing from the Great American State Fair—a significant Freedom 250 event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall.
And why, you ask? Well, of course, because the event is “too political.”
Yes, the “Independence Day” hitmaker who performed for then-President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at a 2009 White House event, thinks celebrating America’s 250th birthday is…”too political.”
In a detailed Instagram statement, McBride stated that she was “misled” into believing the June 25th concert would be a wholesome, nonpartisan celebration representing all 50 states
She decided to withdraw once she said the specifics became clear.
“I would like to talk to you and clear the air,” she announced. “I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th.
McBride went on to say she’s “been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one.” She added that she is saddened that “any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs.”
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) May 29, 2026
“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event, but that turned out to be misleading,” she claimed
The Great American State Fair was organized by Freedom 250, a group that is both initiated and aligned with Trump.
This group is separate from the official America250 commission, which was created by Congress to be explicitly bipartisan and nonpartisan.
The fair proudly claims it will showcase state pavilions from all 50 states and territories, along with various exhibits, rides, food options, and performances. It is presented as a wholesome, all-American “state fair” celebration of community, culture, innovation, and patriotism. One might think there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s certainly an event where the “Blessed” singer could perform with pride.
McBride does have a somewhat of a point
She also performed for then-President Bill Clinton in 1999, too. It doesn’t get any more “political” than that.
And she’s not performing for Trump; she would have been performing for celebration attendees. So by her backing out now, she’s actually being political.
Her post on X got ratioed into oblivion, by the way.
But again, she performed for Obama
Another wondered, “How is celebrating America ‘partisan’?”
Talk show host Joe Pagliarulo urged her not to cave.
This is the 250th anniversary of our great land. 250 years from now, those who perform to celebrate it will be remembered. To me, this seems like a great opportunity,” he wrote.
🚨 Martina McBride says she WON’T perform for America’s 250th celebration because Trump is President and she doesn’t want to be ‘political.’
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) May 29, 2026
Meanwhile,
Here she is performing at the White House for President Obama.
Another hypocritical fraud pic.twitter.com/zZ57Spy006
“If we had cowards like you 250 years ago, we would still be a British colony,” one fan wrote
Whatever happened to artists who stand up for their work? They used to express emotions and feelings that resonated with the celebrations of America.
