The “Ice Ice Baby” rapper has no qualms about performing at the Great American State Fair, a Freedom 250 event created by President Trump. “I’d like to play for anyone, even President Putin.”
These music stars pull out of President Trump’s Freedom 250 concert
Several artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair, organized by President Donald Trump’s nonprofit organization Freedom 250, have pulled out of the event.
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The rapper, who was one of the remaining artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair, said he was scheduled to perform at the event for President Donald Trump’s nonprofit Freedom 250 and had no hesitations about it.
For me it’s as simple as a pimple. It’s nothing. “Today is America’s birthday,” he told CBS News in an interview published on Monday, June 1. “It has nothing to do with politics. I don’t understand why they would bring it into politics.”
The “Ice Ice Baby” rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, said he would “go and play for anyone,” including Russian President Vladimir, “President Putin. Anyone. If you want, I’ll go to Iran. It doesn’t matter.”
The comments come after most of the artists scheduled for the June 25-July 10 event withdrew, including The Commodores and Martina McBride, who suggested they were led to believe the event was “nonpartisan,” and Bret Michaels, who said he had received “completely unfounded and inexcusable” threats about appearing on the lineup.
Freedom 250 is “dedicated to uniting Americans in commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida were among the artists who remained. White House officials said President Trump indicated he would give a speech at the trade show instead, following his resignation. His headline speech is scheduled for June 24th.
Vanilla Ice said he understands artists pulling back “for fear” of backlash or the event being too political, but he doesn’t care whether the event is partisan or not. “When we do an event, we never ask about the event,” he said.
The rapper, who admitted he’s “never voted in my life,” said art “should never get involved” in politics, adding, “You should do whatever you want to do.
“You can’t choose your fans. They choose you,” the rapper continued. “You’re just an entertainer. Never think you’re anything more than that.”
According to the official Freedom 250 website, the Great American State Fair will transform the National Mall in Washington, D.C., into “the nation’s largest and most daring state fair” in celebration of the United States’ 500th anniversary, or 250th anniversary. In addition to a Ferris wheel and carousel, attractions include a rodeo and livestock competitions.
Contributors: Zachary Schermele and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
