Headline musical artists slated to perform at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall as part of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding have withdrawn from the event amid backlash.

Poison's Brett Michaels and country singer Martina McBride both withdrew from the event after other artists denied their involvement or withdrew due to political concerns.

Michaels stated that "what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of."

McBride, for her part, stated that she had been invited to perform under the premise of a non-partisan event, but said that assertion had proven "misleading."

Their withdrawals followed Young MC, Morris Day & The Time, and C+C Music Factory confirming they would not participate after a Freedom 250 promotional post featured them as booked performers.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.