Vanilla Ice said he still plans to perform at the Great American State Fair tied to President Donald Trump’s nonprofit Freedom 250, dismissing political backlash as unnecessary. His remarks come as most booked artists—along with major names like The Commodores
For Vanilla Ice, the Freedom 250 controversy is something he says he can’t even see.
The “Ice Ice Baby” rapper—born Robert Van Winkle—said he plans to perform at the Great American State Fair. an event organized by President Donald Trump’s nonprofit Freedom 250. even as nearly all of the other slated acts have exited the lineup. In an interview published Monday. June 1 with CBS News. he called the situation simple and said politics shouldn’t be part of the equation.
“I’d go play for anybody. Putin. Whoever. You want – I’d go to Iran. Don’t matter,” Van Winkle said, adding, “It’s not anything to do with politics. I don’t know why they’re turning it into politics.”
Freedom 250. which has described the fair as being dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation’s 250th anniversary. is scheduled for June 25 through July 10 and will turn the National Mall in Washington. D.C. into “the biggest. boldest state fair in the country. ” according to the official Freedom 250 website. The same site lists attractions including a Ferris wheel and carousel, plus rodeo and livestock competitions.
While Van Winkle insisted that he doesn’t see the event as political, the broader lineup told a different story.
Nearly all Great American State Fair acts have dropped out, including The Commodores and Martina McBride. McBride said she was led to believe the event was “non-partisan.” Bret Michaels also pulled away. saying he has received “completely unfounded and unforgivable” threats over his appearance in the lineup.
Vanilla Ice said he understands some artists may have backed out because they were “scared” of backlash or because the event was becoming too political. Still, he said he doesn’t focus on whether a performance is partisan.
“When I play events, I never ask about them,” he said.
Van Winkle also tied the debate to his own view of what art should be: he admitted he has “never voted in my life,” said art should “never be in” politics, and added, “You should do whatever you feel like doing.”
He framed it as a job for entertainers rather than a platform for political identity, saying, “You can’t pick your fans. They pick you. You’re just an entertainer. Don’t ever try to think you’re anything beyond that.”
At the same time, Trump has signaled a shift in how he plans to respond to the departures. According to a White House official, Trump suggested he would now plan to give a speech at the fair instead. His headlining speech is being planned for June 24.
Vanilla Ice said he is still among the remaining acts, along with Flo Rida.
For a project pitched as a celebration of America’s semiquincentennial—its 250th anniversary—the contrast between that promise and the public fight around it has become hard to ignore. The event will proceed as scheduled. but the lineup conflict has already changed what the fair can claim to represent: unity. as organizers put it. or a flashpoint. as the performers’ exits have shown.
Vanilla Ice Freedom 250 Great American State Fair Trump nonprofit Robert Van Winkle Flo Rida National Mall Martina McBride The Commodores Bret Michaels June 25 July 10