Trump to headline 250th celebration on National Mall after several artists back out

Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC and more said they won't perform.

Days after several artists said they would not participate in the entertainment lineup for the "Great American State Fair" in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump said he's working to hold a rally instead.

Freedom250, the organization behind the Great American State Fair, told ABC News Saturday evening that Trump will headline the opening ceremony of the fair on Wednesday, June 24.

"As the visionary behind the Great American State Fair, we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24 in an opening ceremony celebrating America's 250th birthday," Freedom250 spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.

Earlier Saturday Trump announced in a social media post that he was working on holding a rally on Wednesday "to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate 'Artists.'"

The president said he would "give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!"

In a later post on his social media platform, Trump suggested a "giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY" for the event, instead of what he called "overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain."

Trump also suggested canceling the event, likening it to his reaction to the judge's decision blocking his overhaul of the Kennedy Center performing arts center.

"Cancel it, just like I canceled my involvement with the failing and unsafe to be in Kennedy Center," Trump posted.

Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day and The Time and The Commodores were all announced to be part of the show but by Friday evening they all said they would no longer perform. Several of the artists alleged they were misled about the nature of the event.

The event is scheduled to take place on the National Mall as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

What appears to be driving the backlash is a perception that Freedom 250 is more closely aligned with the Trump's administration and political movement than they initially understood. Freedom 250 is separate from the congressionally established U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which operates as America 250.

It's not clear what information the artists were given originally by Freedom 250 organizers.

Freedom 250 pushed back Friday against claims that its Great American State Fair is partisan, defending the National Mall event.

"The Great American State Fair is a celebration of all Americans, and Freedom