The biggest party this nation has ever seen since perhaps VJ Day is set to take place in just over two months. The United States of America is celebrating its 250th year as a sovereign nation.
Particularly excited is President Trump who, as he is often wont to do, looks on the bright side of “losing” the 2020 election to Joe Biden, saying, “because I waited four years, I get the 250th year.”
President Trump is one for fanfare. And he is making sure that, like any good host, the nation’s capital is clean and party-ready for the big events to take place in the lead-up to Independence Day. Streets are being cleaned, parks are being freshened up, fountains are being restored, and landmarks like the Reflecting Pool are getting complete facelifts.
And people are taking notice, too. D.C. area residents are flocking to the newly renovated parks, enjoying the cleanliness and the sunshine, thankful that something has finally been done to improve the quality of life where they live.
It’s in that prideful spirit that the organization tasked with handling many of the celebratory events, Freedom 250, is hosting The Great American State Fair on the National Mall. Think the Big E, but for all fifty states and a few territories, as well. The weeks-long event was set to feature different musical headliners throughout its run.
But now, many of the acts are begging out, claiming the venue will not be as non-partisan as they were first led to believe.
Country music superstar Martina McBride is probably the biggest name to have dropped out of her commitment, saying that while she was told the event was nonpartisan, like “so many state fairs” she’s performed at over the years, something “started changing” and she no longer feels the event she was slated to perform at will be presented in the same way it was pitched to her.
Rocker Bret Michaels also expressed similar sentiments. “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,” said Michaels in a statement.
What they don’t make clear is what “started changing” that made them change their minds.
I suspect it is that they discovered that the Freedom 250 organization was put together by the patriotic President himself, Donald J. Trump.
In fact, one of the other wash-ups that was scheduled to perform, Young MC, alluded to that fact in his obligatory dropout announcement. “…despite claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, Spin magazine describes it as Trump-backed,” said the rapper’s Instagram post.
This was hardly a secret, by the way. The coalition was formed last year, with President Trump announcing the launch of the project from the Oval Office in a video.
At least Young MC was honest in his reasoning for withdrawing. While I won’t forgive him for abandoning a commitment to help celebrate such a milestone for America, I will respect him for his honesty in doing so.
And that’s perhaps my biggest gripe with “stars” like McBride and Michaels. Just say you don’t like President Trump. He doesn’t care, and neither do we. He knows there are a great many people who don’t like him. Hell, he’s been nearly assassinated at least three times.
But it is rather pathetic that these people still have such a difficult time putting country before politics.
Imagine ditching performing at such a unifying, celebratory event just because you don’t like the host.
It really is true – they hate Trump more than they love America.