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Martina McBride Cancels Great American Fair Slot Over Politics

5/29/2026

49 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Martina McBride announced on May 28 that she will not perform at the Great American State Fair on June 25.
She said she was misled about the event being nonpartisan and withdrew.
The Commodores, Young MC and Milli Vanilli also announced they would not perform at the fair.
Fans on X praised her integrity.
Media described the fair as aligned with the U.S. President Donald Trump MAGA movement.

History

Historical Context

The August 11-12 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, which drew hundreds of white-supremacist demonstrators and left more than 30 injured, sparked a nationwide backlash that weakened the alt-right and forced sponsors to withdraw support. In 2024, artists such as Martina McBride and the Commodores pulled from the Great American State Fair, demanding nonpartisan venues after the event’s alignment with the MAGA brand.

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Story summary

Martina McBride announced on May 28 that she will not perform at the Great American State Fair on June 25.
She said she was misled about the event being nonpartisan and withdrew.
The Commodores, Young MC and Milli Vanilli also announced they would not perform at the fair.
Fans on X praised her integrity.
Media described the fair as aligned with the U.S. President Donald Trump MAGA movement.

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