US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on 5/6 that he would host the "most exciting and greatest rally ever" on 24/6 in Washington, D.C. This event will replace a previously planned music festival intended to kick off the 250th US Independence Day celebrations, which several artists boycotted. Trump proclaimed: "We will bring you the most exciting and greatest rally ever! This is a special event, beyond all levels. A rally to end all rallies."

The rally, scheduled for 24/6, precedes a series of events commemorating the 250th US Independence Day, set to run from 25/6 to 10/7 in the capital. Trump criticized the original concert's lineup, stating: "We don't want untalented, high-cost singers who only put you to sleep. We told them all to stay home. We just need you, me, a few speakers, and the greatest music ever played, which is the music you've been listening to for years." He promised "all the hits people love" would be performed, adding that the rally's biggest attraction would be "the very kind and gracious gentleman everyone knows, President Donald J. Trump".

US President Donald Trump attends a rally in Iowa on 3/7/2025. *Photo: AP*

Freedom 250, a non-profit organization established by the Trump administration to coordinate the 250th US Independence Day activities, announced last week that a music festival would be held at the National Mall in Washington. This event was intended to inaugurate the Great American Festival, promising: "live musical entertainment, captivating performances, patriotic tributes, creative expression, culturally rich, and family-friendly" content.

However, within days, many artists initially listed as guests publicly withdrew their participation. They claimed they were not informed of the music festival's overtly political nature. One rapper, who had initially agreed to perform, noted that despite organizers' assurances of a non-partisan program, numerous sources characterized it as a Trump-backed event.

Following the mass withdrawals, Trump took to Truth Social on 30/5 to criticize those who changed their minds, suggesting the music festival should be canceled entirely. He wrote: "We should hold a giant 'Make America Great Again' rally for the 250th anniversary, instead of inviting expensive singers nobody wants to hear, with boring music and who only complain."

By Thanh Danh (Time, BBC, CBC)