MOTHER JONES DAILY: The Supreme Court’s Pending Decision on Haitians’ Humanitarian Status Is a Matter of “Life and Death”, 8 Reasons the CARE PACKAGE Has Worked for 80 Years, The UFC’s biggest cards nearly always include women. Except at Freedom 250., Secret recording exposes claims of toxic leadership after a Marine’s suicide, You will be shocked to learn that Donald Trump pardoned a corrupt politician, Karmelo Anthony and the futility of claiming self-defense while Black, Heather Cox Richardson on the real genius of America 12JUN26

 

Support our nonprofit journalism

June 12, 2026 Right now, the Supreme Court is weighing Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants in America. As the justices deliberate, entire communities are living in limbo; they can’t legally work, can’t plan for their futures, and if they drive, they’re forced to do so on expired driver’s licenses. Reporter Sarah Szilagy spent time in Springfield, Ohio, where the Haitian community was harassed by Donald Trump in 2024, when he baselessly claimed they were “eating the pets.” Szilagy learned how Haitian immigrants are navigating asylum cases and are attempting to keep their lives together in the Midwest, despite a hostile government, harassment from neo-Nazi groups, and even bomb threats.  But it isn't just the immigrant community that is facing consequences. The city of Springfield is also suffering from the Trump administration’s persistent targeting of Ohio’s Haitian communities. With Haitians unable to lawfully work, the Springfield metropolitan area’s tax revenues are declining fast.  The Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on whether to extend Temporary Protected Status in late June or early July. Meanwhile, some Haitians are leaving Springfield; others are staying and waiting.  “I call it, ‘To leave or not to leave,’ because where are you going to go?” Vilès Dorsainvil, a Haitian immigrant and executive director of the Haitian Support Center, told Szilagy. “If you leave to go somewhere else in the USA, you will still be a target.” Read Sarah’s piece here. —Sophie Hurwitz

Advertisement

The Supreme Court’s Pending Decision on Haitians’ Humanitarian Status Is a Matter of “Life and Death” “They are trying to push people into the shadows and encourage people to just give up and leave." BY SARAH SZILAGY

SPONSORED POST 8 Reasons the CARE PACKAGE Has Worked for 80 Years 80 years of the CARE PACKAGE shows the most enduring humanitarian idea may also be the simplest: give people exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. THIS CONTENT WAS PAID FOR AND SPONSORED BY CARE.ORG.

The UFC’s biggest cards nearly always include women. Except at Freedom 250. BY INAE OH Secret recording exposes claims of toxic leadership after a Marine’s suicide BY RACHEL FOBAR You will be shocked to learn that Donald Trump pardoned a corrupt politician BY RUSS CHOMA Karmelo Anthony and the futility of claiming self-defense while Black BY ARIANNA COGHILL

Advertisement

Heather Cox Richardson on the real genius of America The historian and Substack superstar talks about her beef with Thomas Jefferson and how she defines patriotism today. BY REVEAL

MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE DEFEND INDEPENDENT, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM Thanks for your recent gift of $15 on April 17, 2026! Your generosity keeps our reporters shining a light in dark corners and digging deep into the issues.   Right now, we’re in our Summer Membership Drive, and we need to raise $200,000 by June 30 to fuel the future of fearless reporting. That’s everything from deep dives that expose corruption, to breaking news that keeps you in the loop about what’s happening in the government. If you’re able, help us reach our goal with a new gift of any amount. Fuel the Future

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Share it on Facebook and Bluesky.

Your source for journalism that doesn't shrink back. Fifty years and counting. Keep us growing with a gift of any amount. Donate Subscribe For advertising opportunities see our online media kit. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today. www.MotherJones.com PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755

Trump Mulls Replacing Artists Who Pulled Out of Freedom 250 With Himself 31MAI26

 

NOT MY pres drumpf / trump will open freedom 2250 with a magic trick where he shoves his head so far up his ass he turns himself inside out! This from Newsweek.....

UPDATED FREEDOM 250 LINEUP RELEASED 30MAI26

FREEDOM 250 UPDATED SCHEDULE & Everyone’s Fleeing Trump’s Freedom 250 Concerts 29MAI26

Trump Mulls Replacing Artists Who Pulled Out of Freedom 250 With Himself

Published

May 30, 2026 at 01:50 PM EDT

updated

May 31, 2026 at 11:16 AM EDT

By Hollie Silverman

Deputy Weekend Editor

Ahead of the Great American State Fair next month, President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday he may headline his own rally in Washington, D.C., claiming that scheduled performers were getting “the yips” after several withdrew from participating. The president floated the idea of replacing what he termed “highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists’” with a speech by “the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World.”

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump stated that artists slated to appear at the event were expressing concerns about their performances. He wrote that he was considering stepping in personally, describing himself as someone who “gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime” and “does so without a guitar.”

Several acts—including Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, and The Commodores—publicly withdrew from the lineup after learning the event was organized by Freedom 250 rather than the separate, nonpolitical America250 commission. The departing acts cited distinct reasons for their exit; McBride and Young MC stated they were actively misled into believing the event was completely nonpartisan, while Michaels cited severe safety concerns and online threats directed toward his crew and family.

Organizers have noted that the festival is part of a nationwide effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Of the performers featured on the event’s original promotional poster, only three are currently understood to still be participating: hip-hop artists Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida, alongside Fab Morvan, who is performing under the Milli Vanilli banner.

In a statement to The Hill on Saturday, Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said: “As the visionary behind the Great American State Fair, we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24 in an opening ceremony celebrating America’s 250th birthday.”

Newsweek has reached out to Freedom 250 via email on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the semiquincentennial celebrations also include an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) card hosted by the president at the White House on Flag Day, June 14, which also coincides with Trump's 80th birthday. The event will feature a 5,000-seat arena and an octagon-shaped cage constructed on the South Lawn.

What Trump Said About Freedom 250

Trump indicated in his Truth Social post that he has instructed his representatives to explore the feasibility of transforming the event into an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally” at the same time and location, with attendance restricted to what he called “Great Patriots.”

He added that he did not want “so‑called ‘Artists’ that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy,” stating he preferred to be surrounded by “Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.”

Trump framed the potential rally as a moment of national revival, claiming that “two years ago, the United States was DEAD” but now is “the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World.” He described the possible event as a “Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America.”

"So, by copy of this TRUTH, I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location," the president wrote.

In another Truth Social Post on Saturday night, Trump wrote, in part: "We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain. Cancel it..."

Trump has frequently clashed with entertainers who decline to perform at his events or distance themselves from his political brand. Political observers note that Trump’s rallies have long served as a central tool for energizing his base, often overshadowing traditional campaign infrastructure.

Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Planned Rally

Since Trump's Truth Social post, there have been mixed reactions about the planned rally.

During an interview appearance on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the president "plays a key figure in helping to celebrate and kick-off and be at the opening of these events. It's very appropriate. President Trump is going to be at dozens of events."

Some criticized the move, including former Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis, who wrote in a Saturday X post that "America 250 is not about Trump. This is so egotistical."

Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh wrote on X on Saturday that "replacing a concert with a speech is lame and boring."

"Don't cancel the concert just because a bunch of washed up old has-beens canceled," he added. "There are hundreds of artists out there who might not be famous but would absolutely leap at the chance to play on a stage like this."

What Is Freedom 250?

Freedom 250 is a public‑private organization established to lead celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Its programming includes a major 16‑day festival on the National Mall known as the Great American State Fair that will run through June 25 through July 10. Admission to the fair will be free, and organizers have promoted it as a central feature of the nationwide America250 celebrations.

The organization describes the effort as a nationwide, World’s Fair‑style commemoration designed to “honor our history and engage all Americans,” featuring live entertainment, cultural exhibits, military demonstrations, and programming representing all states and territories.

While the group has promoted the fair as a nonpartisan celebration, reports indicate it is backed by the Trump administration. This connection triggered controversy after numerous artists listed on the promotional materials stated they were never informed of any political association.

Despite the withdrawal of all but three acts, Freedom 250 has continued to market the fair as a unifying national celebration, emphasizing its mission to “uplift and unite America” during the country’s semiquincentennial year.

"Freedom 250 is focused on our signature celebrations and events that honor our history and engage all Americans—welcoming all who share our goal of commemorating this milestone in a way that uplifts and unites America," Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner told Newsweek in an emailed statement.

UPDATED FREEDOM 250 LINEUP RELEASED 30MAI26

 

FREEDOM 250 UPDATED SCHEDULE & Everyone’s Fleeing Trump’s Freedom 250 Concerts 29MAI26

FREEDOM 250 UPDATED SCHEDULE & Everyone’s Fleeing Trump’s Freedom 250 Concerts 29MAI26

 

Adam Kinzinger

‪@adamkinzinger.substack.com‬

Here’s the deal for those confused: “America 250” is the bipartisan celebration committee. “Freedom 250” is a Trump organization celebrating him masquerading as a celebration of America. The concert was Freedom 250. Hence the cancellations

Everyone’s Fleeing Trump’s Freedom 250 Concerts

The exodus continues apace with Bret Michaels.

• 

  Inae Oh

  Senior News and Engagement EditorBio | Follow

It hasn’t even been two days since Freedom 250, the Trump-tied group organizing a bunch of celebrations ostensibly in honor of America’s 250th birthday, announced the lineup for its Great American State Fair concert series. But the series already appears dead on arrival, with more than half of the scheduled performers fleeing.

The latest? Bret Michaels of Poison fame, who announced on Instagram:

“Unfortunately, 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. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”

As of this writing, Michaels is now one of six of the originally scheduled nine acts to pull out. Some cited the overwhelmingly negative response to their participation in the Trump-backed events; others claimed they didn’t realize the events would be politically charged. They include Milli Vanilli, Martina McBride, Young MC, The Commodores, and Morris Day & The Time. Somewhat up in the air is C+C Music Factory, after its lead vocalist complained on social media that he “doesn’t fuck with Trump.” For now, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain steadfast in their commitments, but anything can change.

So, what other bottom-of-the-barrel performers might we expect to save the fledgling series? Kid Rock? The Village People? Can a country’s humiliation get worse? Yes, it seems so.