As at least two performers have stepped away from the Freedom 250 concert series on the National Mall, rapper Freedom Williams defended his decision to take part, posting a profanity-laced video on the group’s official Instagram while seated on a toilet. His r
On the National Mall, the Freedom 250 concert series is losing people—but not everyone is stepping back quietly.
At least two performers have already bailed on the event organized by Freedom 250, the Trump-backed group planning a celebration tied to the country’s 250th anniversary this summer. While it isn’t clear that C+C Music Factory will follow, rapper Freedom Williams made his position unmistakable.
In a post on the group’s official Instagram account. 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. He responded with contempt for the criticism and delivered his message from an unexpected place: he appeared to be filming 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.”
He then launched into a lengthy rant that covered former President Barack Obama. saying Obama “never did shit for you. ” and went after Trump’s immigration crackdown. calling it “damn near Nazism.” Williams also said he had considered dropping out 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.
The video surfaced after Stereogum flagged Williams’ post Thursday and provided a full transcript of the diatribe.
The controversy has been building around Freedom 250’s identity—and the pressure on artists to distance themselves. Freedom 250 hats and other souvenirs have been seen for sale. with the images tied to Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer. Praise and Thanksgiving on the National Mall on May 17 in Washington. D.C.
Freedom 250’s lineup, billed as the Great American State Fair, has been leaning heavily toward ’90s acts. Alongside artists such as Vanilla Ice. Milli Vanilli (who say they weren’t asked to perform). Martina McBride. and Poison’s Bret Michaels. C+C Music Factory is among the names people have been watching. C+C Music Factory is best known for hits like “Gonna Make You Sweat” and “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…”.
Yet Freedom 250 has also been confused with America250. a bipartisan group created by Congress to help mark the country’s semiquincentennial. Democrats have warned that the rise of Freedom 250 raises “serious and troubling questions” about Trump and his allies trying to benefit from a public celebration that includes taxpayers’ dollars.
That tension spilled into artists’ personal decisions. In a Facebook post Wednesday, the rapper Young MC said he decided not to participate after learning more. He wrote that the artists were “never told about any political involvement with the event. ” and despite organizers’ claims that the event is non-partisan. SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed. Young MC added: “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”.
The singer and songwriter Morris Day also posted a refusal on Instagram, saying “It’s A No For Me.” He later clarified in the same platform that “Contrary To Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing At ‘THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR,’” indicating he would not take the stage.
There’s been no indication yet from McBride that she intends to withdraw.
For now, Freedom 250 remains a high-profile battleground over what the country is actually celebrating—and who gets to define it.
Freedom 250 Freedom Williams National Mall concert Trump-backed group Great American State Fair Young MC Morris Day Morris Day & The Time C+C Music Factory Vanilla Ice Milli Vanilli Martina McBride Poison Bret Michaels America250 Rededicate 250
Sitting on a toilet and ranting like that is just… why.
I don’t even care about the music at this point, the fact they’re doing a “Trump-backed” anniversary thing on the Mall is wild. But also I’m like… why is he filming from a toilet?? Seems fake or staged.
Obama “never did shit”?? Bro Obama isn’t in charge anymore lol. Half these people just use politics as an excuse to be messy on camera. Also calling immigration “Nazism” is a huge jump, like that’s not how any of this works.
People keep saying performers bailed, but sounds like it’s just drama and nobody wants to be associated. The Trump administration part is the headline but then it’s about him saying random stuff from the toilet… so is the event even real or is it some marketing thing? I’m confused why Freedom 250 would care about his friends phone blowing up, like shouldn’t he just decline if he hates it.