The Freedom 250 concert series is set to take place in Washington D.C. from June 25 through July 10. The shows are part of an initiative by President Donald Trump to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, however, several artists planned for the series have dropped off recently due to concerns over the perceived political nature of the events.
Martina McBride, Young MC, Milli Vanilli and Poison frontman Bret Michaels have all backed out of appearing. Michaels explained that his decision “isn’t about politics,” but he’s concerned about potential safety threats surrounding the events.
Michaels said in a statement: “As many of you know, I’ve spent my entire career bringing people together through music, positivity and good vibes. My shows have never been about politics. They’re about giving people a place to come together, have a great time and forget about life’s stresses for a few hours.”
He continued: “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. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about staying true to what I’ve always believed in. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. That’s one of the freedoms our veterans fought for and something I’ve always respected. But as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.”
He concluded: “I will continue to proudly support our veterans, active military members, teachers, first responders and the organizations that serve them, just as I always have. I also want my amazing fans in Washington, D.C. to know that I love you all, and I fully intend to come back and perform in our nation’s capital under circumstances where the focus can remain on what it should be — the music and the fans. In the meantime, we’ll keep the ‘Live & Amplified’ tour rocking, and I look forward to seeing all of you out on the road soon.”
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