As major artists boycott the 250th anniversary celebration led by President Donald Trump, a star-studded opening ceremony for the Barack Obama Presidential Center is set to take place, according to a report by Yonhap News on June 18.
The opening of the Obama Center, located in Chicago, which is a political stronghold for the former president, is scheduled for June 19, coinciding with Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery, as reported by the British daily Telegraph and others on June 17.
The opening ceremony on June 18 will feature performances by renowned artists including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bono from U2, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, and The Roots.
The Obama Foundation described the event as a gathering of "world leaders, artists, changemakers, and citizens to celebrate and inspire the values formed during President Obama's time in office."
In contrast, the Trump administration's 250th anniversary event, titled the "Great American State Fair," is set to begin a week later on June 25.
However, as news of the event being led by President Trump has emerged, many scheduled performers have withdrawn. Local media report that more than half of the originally planned artists have expressed their intention to not participate.
So far, rapper Young MC, Poison frontman Bret Michaels, country singer Martina McBride, and punk band The Commodores have canceled their appearances.
Young MC explained on social media that artists had not been informed about the political implications of the event, which influenced their decision to withdraw.
In light of the artists' withdrawals, President Trump has suggested he may take the stage himself. On May 31, he stated on his social media platform Truth Social, "They want to bring in Donald Trump, the man referred to as the greatest president in history, to replace the third-rate artists and speak at the event."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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