President Trump announced on Thursday a rally in Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 24 at 7 p.m., to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. In a Truth Social post, the president described the event as “the Greatest Rally, Ever!” and emphasized it would feature no performers he deemed “singers with no talent” or those who charge “big fees to put you to sleep.”
The gathering will include President Donald J. Trump himself, singer Lee Greenwood performing “GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.,” and actor Christopher Macchio singing “Nessun Dorma,” “Hallelujah,” “Ave Maria,” and “God Bless America”—a vocal range, Trump claimed, matching the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. The event will also showcase the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Armed Forces Choir, and “The President’s Own” Unites States Marine Band with the Joint Armed Forces Chorus.
Trump noted the rally would avoid “Third Rate ‘Artists’” who he claimed “get paid far too much money.” He stated the event would be “a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America,” inviting only “Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.”
The announcement follows major setbacks at the Great American State Fair, where multiple artists withdrew after citing concerns about political ties. Country singer Martina McBride confirmed she would not participate, stating she was misled into believing the event was nonpartisan despite assurances it celebrated “ALL 50 states.” A fair spokesperson described the activities as “inherently nonpolitical,” though Trump previously proposed replacing musicians with his own rally—referred to as “America Is Back”—to address artist withdrawals.
Trump also noted that Freedom 250, the initiative he founded as an alternative to a bipartisan America 250 effort, faced controversy after its artist lineup was revealed. The president’s appointed CEO, Keith Krach, has been silent since the backlash began, while Trump reiterated his intent to host the rally “on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location.” Earlier this week, Trump posted a message saying he would “cancel” Freedom 250 concerts—a move he clarified was not necessarily subject to organizational approval.