Bret Michaels The Latest Artist To Pull Out of Trump’s Freedom 250 Concert Series

Bret Michaels has withdrawn from the Freedom 250 concert series in Washington, D.C., becoming one of the most recognizable names in a wave of artists abandoning the event in its first week.

The Poison frontman announced his decision late Thursday in a statement posted to his website and Instagram. He said the performance had been described to his team as a celebration of the country through music, a night honoring veterans, military, first responders, teachers, and working Americans. That premise, he wrote, had since become more divisive than what he agreed to take part in.

Michaels also raised security concerns. He said threats had been directed at his fans, band, crew, and family, calling them unfounded and unforgivable. He characterized the booking as a misrepresentation, saying his team was told one thing and presented with another once the lineup was announced. Throughout the statement he kept his focus on his own track record, noting that his shows have never centered on politics.

He is far from the only act to leave. Michaels is at least the fifth artist to drop out of the Trump-affiliated event. Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, the Commodores, and Martina McBride had all canceled before he did. Their explanations have followed a consistent pattern, suggesting the performers were given a similar pitch.

The complaints center on disclosure. Young MC told Rolling Stone he had no idea it was considered a Trump-backed event and was never offered a real choice to participate. McBride said she had been assured it was a nonpartisan event celebrating all fifty states and called the organizers’ description misleading.

The departures have gutted the bill. The series is a five-night run staged as part of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, billed as a celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. Nine acts were announced this week for the festival, scheduled to run between June 25 and July 10. With more than half the performers gone, the remaining acts are Fab Morvan, C+C Music Factory, Flo Rida, and Kid Rock. Vanilla Ice was also still listed, though C+C Music Factory’s Freedom Williams indicated in a video that he was considering withdrawing as well, citing political ties he says were never disclosed.

That leaves the schedule in disarray. Michaels had been set to close the series on July 3, while McBride was to open it on June 25, and it remains unclear how either slot will be filled.