250th US, Trump cancels concerts and announces 'big rally'

US President Donald Trump announced a big rally in Washington, DC for 24 June, in order to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, precising that he had cancelled scheduled concerts after several artists defected. "To celebrate 250 years of our country's history, we will bring you, LIVE, the biggest rally EVER! It will be special on every level: the ultimate rally that will surpass every other rally!" assured Trump in a post on his Truth social network.

Trump has set 'the big date' for Wednesday 24 June, at 7pm local time (1am on 25 June in Italia), 'in magnificent Washington, DC, now fully beautified and counted among the safest cities in the world'. "We don't want untalented singers who, for exorbitant cachets, end up putting you to sleep; we told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, some speakers, and the greatest music ever performed: the same music you have been listening to for years! We will have the fabulous Lee Greenwood, who will introduce me with what turned out to be one of the greatest hits of all time: 'God Bless the U.S.A'," Trump added. And then, "the amazing Christopher Macchio, who will sing 'Nessun Dorma', 'Hallelujah', 'Ave Maria', 'God Bless America' and more," the tycoon continued.

"Not since the days of the legendary Luciano Pavarotti has such a voice been heard! The rally will also feature the wonderful U.S. Army Band 'Pershing's Own' with the Armed Forces Choir, and 'The President's Own' United States Marine Band with the Joint Armed Forces Choir. All your favourite hits will be performed, all in the company of a distinguished and upstanding gentleman known as... President DONALD J. TRUMP!" he concluded in the post.

Anticipation is growing in the United States for the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. From the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout at the White House, for which a mega stage has been set up on the lawn of the residence, to an unprecedented fireworks display, there are many events planned and will begin in the coming days. These include a mega-fair that will take place from 25 June to 10 July along the National Mall in which all 56 states and territories of the United States will participate.

There is no shortage of controversy, however. The organisers claim that the events will be used to celebrate the anniversary of the United States, but some initiatives financed by an entity that supports Donald Trump are raising questions about the risk that the celebrations could take on a political connotation. America250, one of the bodies in charge of organising the celebrations, was set up by Congress ten years ago with the aim of planning non-partisan events, while Freedom 250, the other organisation involved, was created by the president and is a public-private partnership.