CNN set July 3 for “Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250,” with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen hosting a midnight ball-drop countdown special. The announcement comes as major artists tied to President Trump’s Freedom 250 Great American S
On July 3, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will try to keep the countdown steady—at least on television.
CNN announced that the longtime CNN anchor and Bravo host will cohost “Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250. ” a patriotic countdown special marking the United States’ semiquincentennial. also known as the 250th anniversary. The show airs July 3 from 8 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. ET and includes a midnight ball drop designed to echo New York City’s New Year’s Eve tradition.
“Throughout the night. Anderson and Andy will be joined by an array of special guests. ” CNN said. describing them as “celebrated American icons. cultural legends and inspiring everyday heroes. ” with stories meant to reflect “the spirit. resilience and diversity of the United States.” While CNN did not name those guests in the announcement. the network said it has already confirmed a lineup for related coverage tied to its America 250 weekend programming.
CNN also confirmed it will broadcast “The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250. ” a nonstop slate covering America 250 celebrations throughout the Fourth of July weekend. The network said it will air performances from several music superstars nationwide. including Charlie Puth and Josh Groban. Kane Brown. the Goo Goo Dolls. Maren Morris. Rod Stewart. Lil Wayne. AJR. Kool & The Gang and Chaka Khan.
The timing lands amid a public shake-up around another major America 250 event: the Great American State Fair. a 16-day series organized by President Donald Trump’s nonprofit Freedom 250. CNN said the fair is expected to run June 25 through July 10 and will bring a state-fair-style transformation to the National Mall in Washington. D.C. described by the Freedom 250 website as “the biggest. boldest state fair in the country” in honor of the U.S. semiquincentennial.
But earlier this week, the fair saw a wave of artist cancellations, and many of the performers later walked back their involvement. CNN said the departures were often tied to political controversy surrounding the event’s affiliation with Trump.
Bret Michaels was among the latest to leave, and his message pointed directly to the personal toll he said the situation caused. Michaels, slated to perform July 3, cited the event becoming “divisive,” as well as threats to his loved ones.
“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,” the Poison frontman wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
“Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,” he added.
As the Great American State Fair’s lineup continues to churn. CNN says it expects to cover the event as part of its “Fourth in America: Celebrating 250” programming on July 4. The network shared that special coverage. hosted by Brianna Keilar and Laura Coates from Washington. D.C. will begin airing at 12 p.m. ET.
The schedule is ambitious—Cooper and Cohen’s late-night broadcast set for the holiday eve. and an all-weekend programming push that brings major music acts into the mix. At the same time. the cancellations linked to the Freedom 250 fair make the contrast hard to ignore: the semiquincentennial is moving forward on TV even as parts of the live celebration stumble over politics and safety concerns.
America 250 semiquincentennial CNN Anderson Cooper Andy Cohen Independence Eve Live Freedom 250 Great American State Fair Bret Michaels Charlie Puth Josh Groban Kane Brown Goo Goo Dolls Maren Morris Rod Stewart Lil Wayne AJR Kool & The Gang Chaka Khan Brianna Keilar Laura Coates