Multiple performers booked for a festival celebrating America's 250th birthday have dropped out, many saying they were misled about the political affiliation of the event. Freedom 250, the group behind the Great American State Fair, unveiled the artists on Wednesday for the 16-day event planned on the National Mall in Washington DC between 25 June and 10 July. The group was launched last year by the Trump administration and the president appointed its CEO, but it says the event is non-partisan. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he might instead use the occasion to give a "major speech" in Washington DC, calling the artists who dropped out "third rate".