Bill Maher says thats got to hurt as MAGA event | TV Shows

Bill Maher wasted no time taking photographs at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair following the mass exodus of almost all its announced performers.

The pageant, backed by Donald Trump, is deliberate as a 16-day event in Washington D.C. However, cancellation hypothesis has been swirling after almost every act on the invoice, including Martina McBride, The Commodores and Morris Day, publicly announced they might not be collaborating.

HBO Real Time host Maher, 70, tackled the controversy head-on during his Friday night time broadcast, delivering a sharp monologue on the disaster. Experts have also warned the MAGA pageant faces almighty “challenges.”

“We’re having a 250th birthday party for America. A concert,” Maher said in his monologue on May 29. “They announced the lineup: Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Morris Day, Bret Michaels. I think this is very admirable about the president – it shows that he’s concerned for the unemployed.”

He pressed on, saying, “And then, after they announced this all-star lineup, a lot of them said, ‘No, what are you talking about? We’re not playing.’ That’s got to hurt a lot when you can’t close the deal with Milli Vanilli.”

The comic then shifted his sights to President Trump, 79, quipping, “Here’s something in the category of wow, we never used to be this country: They’re putting out a $250 bill with Trump’s face on it.

“I assume it is commemorative. Republicans in Congress are thrilled about it. They cannot wait to carry it in their pockets. What a switcheroo: having Trump’s face next to their a–.”

The Freedom 250 event was thrown into chaos within hours of its lineup announcement, as several artists publicly declared they would not be taking the stage.

The only confirmed performers still committed to the event are Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli frontman Fabrice Morvan.

Morris Day and The Time were the first to withdraw, with the singer posting a straightforward “It’s a no for me,” on Instagram. Young MC followed suit, citing the event’s political backing and charged atmosphere.

“I’ve informed my brokers that I cannot be performing at the Freedom 250 event,” he wrote.

The singer continued, “The artists have been never told about any political involvement with the event. And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, Spin magazine describes it as ‘Trump-backed.’ I hope to carry out in D.C. in the close to future at an event that is just not so politically charged.”

The Commodores also pointed to political concerns in their withdrawal statement, “Our music has always been our voice and we selected not to publicly affiliate with any single political social gathering. We assist the betterment of all Americans.”

Country star Martina McBride revealed she had been misled about the nature of the event when announcing her decision to pull out.

“I used to be introduced with an alternative to carry out at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be deceptive,” she wrote. The country music star went on to say, “I requested heaps and heaps of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to rejoice ALL 50 states. I’ve spent my complete profession singing songs about real people with real points.

“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs.

“I guarantee you, that is just not the case. I admire every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC space very soon.”

Meanwhile, Bret Michaels pointed to safety concerns as the driving force behind his decision to withdraw from the festival.

In a statement posted to Instagram, he explained, “Unfortunately, what was introduced to us as a celebration of our nation has developed into one thing a lot more divisive than what I agreed to be a half of. Concerns have also been raised concerning the security of my followers, band, crew, household and myself, including threats that are utterly unfounded and unforgivable.”