Trump attacks artists dropping out of US Freedom 250 concert and mulls appearing himself

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he might instead use the occasion to give a “major speech” in Washington DC, calling the artists who dropped out “third rate”.

Freedom 250 has said it was a nonprofit “dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation’s 250th anniversary”.

Artists including Young MC, Morris Day, the Commodores, Poison frontman Bret Michaels and country singer Martina McBride have all since said they will not be participating.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he was aware of artists getting “the yips” about their performances, and was thinking about instead appearing himself at a new rally at same time and location.