Trump Official Richard Grenell Attacks Martina McBride After She Pulls Out of Freedom 250 Concert Series

Martina McBride canceled her scheduled performance at the Great American State Fair on June 25 after stating that an opportunity presented as nonpartisan turned out to be misleading. She said she asked questions and was assured the event would celebrate all 50 states and bring people together through music. She added that changes occurred and what she was told was not what was happening. Her withdrawal followed other performers backing out as many announced acts canceled. Richard Grenell, a Trump presidential envoy, criticized McBride and then attacked Sam Stein after Stein noted the growing number of cancellations. Grenell also responded to Tommy Vietor’s comment about intolerance.

"I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th, McBride said in a lengthy statement posted to X. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states. In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can."

"She added: Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening. pic.twitter.com/Ono3zPi54Z Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) May 29, 2026 McBride's departure from the Great American State Fair left Richard Grenell, President of Donald Trump's presidential envoy for special missions and former acting chief of the Kennedy Center, miffed."

"You've always been a woke Lefty, Grenell wrote in response to McBride's statement. An hour later, Grenell turned his attention to The Bulwark's Sam Stein, who had remarked that McBride was the 5th of 9 artists to pull out of the show (six of nine have now canceled). Stein added: Would read a piece on how the hell this all came together."

"In response, Grenell posted: Sam Stein celebrates political censorship. Again. Does anyone think that Sam ever considers the fact that it's his far left political team that has become the intolerants?! Minutes after attacking Stein, Grenell chided Pod Save America co-host and former Barack Obama staffer Tommy Vietor, who said, This is getting sad. The Intolerance is coming from yo"

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