The Commodores Exit Trump-Backed 'Freedom 250' Concerts

The list of performers booked for a Trump-backed concert series marking the nation’s 250th anniversary is getting shorter with each passing hour.

Several artists distanced themselves from the event on Thursday, May 28, including legendary Motown group The Commodores.

“The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair,” the group said in a statement on Instagram. “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”

The group was formed in Tuskegee, Alabama in the late 1960s. While several members have left, including Lionel Richie, the remaining members continue to perform.

The Commodores were one of nine acts announced on Wednesday as part of the lineup for “Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair.” The event is scheduled to take place on the National Mall is Washington from June 25-July 10.

In addition to The Commodores, the lineup included country singer Martina McBride, Milli Vanilli, C+C Music Factory, Flo Rida, Morris Day & The Time, Young MC, and Trump supporters Vanilla Ice and Bret Michaels.

Morris Day and Young MC announced they were exiting the event shortly after the lineup went public.

“It’s a no for me,” Day captioned a statement he shared with fans on Instagram Wednesday afternoon.

Young MC added on Instagram, “I have informed my agents that I will not be performing at the Freedom 250 event.” The rapper said “a lot of the artists” weren’t told the event is affiliated with the Trump administration.

Martina McBride backed up that statement, saying she was initially told the concerts would be “nonpartisan.” After learning otherwise, the singer said she was out.

“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th,” McBride shared on social media. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case.”

Fab Morvan, one half of the duo Milli Vanilli, which was exposed for not actually singing any of their songs, told Consequence of Sound he still plans to perform at the event.

“I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” said Morvan. “I feel honored to be a part of the Great American State Fair as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”

But the real singers behind the group told the outlet they “will NOT be performing their hits” at the gathering. Made up of vocalists Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco, Brad Howell, John Davis, and Charles Shaw, the group calls itself The Real Milli Vanilli.

“Others using the name ‘Milli Vanilli’ that appear on the advertisement should be considered a tribute band with no association vocally or musically to our sound or songs,” read a statement signed by all of the original vocalists.

Freedom 250 is described as a “national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation’s 250th birthday” on its website. But according to The New York Times, the event is closely tied to President Trump.

Keith Krach, who served as under secretary of state in Trump’s first administration, is now CEO of the Freedom 250 organization.