politics
After several artists drop out of Freedom 250 concerts, Vanilla Ice says he'd "play for anybody" including Putin and Iran
Updated on: June 1, 2026 / 11:40 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle) will perform at the Freedom 250 concert series in Washington D.C.
- Several other artists, including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, The Commadores, Bret Michaels, and Martina McBride, have withdrawn from the event.
- Artists cited being misled about the organizers and the event's perceived political ties, with SPIN magazine describing it as Trump-backed.
- Freedom 250, launched following a Trump executive order, maintains its events are nonpartisan and dedicated to celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
- Van Winkle stated his participation is apolitical, focused on celebrating the country, and expressed willingness to perform for any audience, including controversial figures.
- The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall.