# The lineup for the Trump-backed America250 Concert is a little sus **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 28, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460 "2026-05-28T17:34:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/41 "2026-05-28T20:59:54Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@HeyHomie](#): > > > > I rather feel sorry for him (Rob Pilatus). > > Actually, Rob is the one who died in '96. Even more reason to feel sorry for him! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/42 "2026-05-28T21:19:12Z")
Lots of actual bona fide artists make their way scratching and touring. And singing and playing instruments. He wasn’t “forced” into anything ffs. Nobody “made” him do anything. Ffs. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/43 "2026-05-28T21:24:31Z")
He was living on the streets of Berlin, begging for food, when Frank Farian discovered the pair. I’d have done the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/44 "2026-05-28T23:23:19Z")
From Facebook: > The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair. > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/45 "2026-05-28T23:45:25Z")
Bret Michaels is from Butler, PA. I’m surprised they’re letting him anywhere near the festivities. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/46 "2026-05-29T00:15:19Z")
Man when C- and D-listers start cancelling, who you gonna call? Carrot Top’s second cousin, the bass player in an Ace of Base cover band? Jim J. Bullock’s neighbor, the one who does balloon animals outside minor league baseball stadiums? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/47 "2026-05-29T00:35:43Z")
How embarrassing to release your lineup and then have multiple news items as each performer backs out… But I’m proud of the Commodores and MilliVanilli (well, Fab and the guy with the vocal track on his ipod) for cancelling. (Before they didn’t get paid…) > [@Chronos](#): > > > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > > It’s more-or-less current slang for “suspicious” or “suspect.” > > It’s old enough slang that my students roll their eyes at me when I use it. So by now, “sus” is sus. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/48 "2026-05-29T00:36:57Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > They already have the makings of a supergroup called “Milli Vanilla.” Alright: Stop, collaborate and lipsync! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/49 "2026-05-29T01:33:58Z")
So who all has dropped out now? Young Mc, Morris Day, Milli Vanilli, and I just heard Martina McBride declined? And Kid Rock wasn’t invited? And who’s still coming? Flo Rida? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/50 "2026-05-29T01:47:13Z")
Yup, Martina McBride is out. > **[Martina McBride Drops Out of Trump's 'Misleading' Freedom 250 Concert](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/martina-mcbride-drops-out-trump-freedom-250-concert-1235569756/)** > > The singer joined a wave of artists who have backed out of the event organized by Keith Krach, a Trump appointee. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/51 "2026-05-29T02:20:47Z")
This seems rather typical of the Trump administration. It’s like they think just saying something will manifest it into reality. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/52 "2026-05-29T02:52:56Z")
The Commodores are out, too. Ice confirmed he’s in, but he may be the only one performing. No word yet from Flo or C+C. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/53 "2026-05-29T03:07:19Z")
C+C is in. > **[Rapper Defends Performing At Trump-Backed Freedom 250 Concert In 7-Minute...](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/c-c-music-factory-freedom-250_n_6a188044e4b0ddcc8468f892)** > > It appears the show will go on for C+C Music Factory, one of the groups billed for Trump’s '90s-heavy National Mall celebration. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/54 "2026-05-29T03:23:12Z")
They weren’t even American! IIRC, they were German. Apparently MV weren’t even contacted about the “America 250” show, although they were purportedly scheduled for an “I Love The 90s” nostalgia show. (The 1990s are NOSTALGIA? What happened, anyway?) Two of the current singers are women, sisters no less. > **[Milli Vanilli and Morris Day say they won't perform at Trump-linked Freedom...](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/milli-vanilli-and-morris-day-say-they-wont-perform-at-trump-linked-freedom-250s-dc-shows)** > > Artists disputed Wednesday's announcement. A Freedom 250 spokesperson did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/55 "2026-05-29T03:26:19Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > (The 1990s are NOSTALGIA? What happened, anyway?) What happened was that 30 years passed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/56 "2026-05-29T04:28:52Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Man when C- and D-listers start cancelling, who you gonna call? Carrot Top’s second cousin, the bass player in an Ace of Base cover band? Jim J. Bullock’s neighbor, the one who does balloon animals outside minor league baseball stadiums? Didn’t Scott Baio used to sing back in the day? Maybe they can hire him. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/57 "2026-05-29T04:33:45Z")
Whose idea was _that_?! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/58 "2026-05-29T04:47:30Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > C+C is in. > > [C+C Music Factory Rapper Refuses To Bail On Trump Concert | HuffPost Latest News](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/c-c-music-factory-freedom-250_n_6a188044e4b0ddcc8468f892) Something tells me he’s not going to be invited back. > [@](#): > > In a post on the group’s official Instagram account, rapper Freedom Williams said his phone had been blowing up with friends asking why he would take part in an event put on by the Trump administration. Williams said he didn’t care at all what the critics had to say — a point underscored by the fact that he appeared to be delivering his message while sitting on a toilet. > [@](#): > > “I don’t give a fuck about Trump. I don’t give a fuck about Trump’s family,” Williams said. “I know the type of fucking anarchy he creates. But the day I let you motherfuckers tell me what to do is the day I die.” > [@](#): > > Williams went on a lengthy rant that covered former President Barack Obama (who “never did shit for you”) and Trump’s immigration crackdown (“damn near Nazism”), among other issues. He said he had considered dropping out of the National Mall show as backlash grew, but ultimately decided he wouldn’t cave to critics. > > “I don’t give a fuck about Trump. But I also don’t give a fuck about you, either,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/59 "2026-05-29T05:00:09Z")
Had a depressing thought. Can you imagine how good the line up for the 250 celebration would be if Kamala had won? I get it’s not in the top 10000 ways life sucks for everyone because she.lost, but still f\_cking hell ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460/60 "2026-05-29T06:18:21Z")
And now Bret Michaels is out. [Statement Regarding Washington, D.C. Event – Bret Michaels Official Web Site](https://www.bretmichaels.com/statement-regarding-washington-d-c-event/) > 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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lineup-for-the-trump-backed-america250-concert-is-a-little-sus/1030460.md?page=4)