Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher ripped into artists who have abandoned plans to perform for America’s 250th birthday celebrations, arguing that they’ve played into President Donald Trump’s hands. Maher, during his show on Friday, said that when musicians declared that they would not take part in the festivities, they were making it look as though they did not love the United States — which is exactly the position Trump and others have accused them of taking. WATCH: Bill Maher SLAPS AROUND the artist that PULLED out of the Freedom 250 Concert: “They all pulled out. This is a question of what looks best for the Democrats because I don’t think that looks good. It looks like you are just what people say about you: you don’t really love America.… pic.twitter.com/DJP35wbT1P — RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) June 6, 2026 “I think these people — they all pulled out,” Maher said. “They all pulled out. This is a question of what looks best for the Democrats because I don’t think that looks good. It looks like you are just what people say about you: you don’t really love America. It looks like you think that Trump is more important than the country itself.” “Now it’s just a big MAGA rally, this whole thing, because they all pulled out,” Maher complained. “So now it’s just Trump and Lee Greenwood.” “Wouldn’t it have been better to play this gig?” he asked. “It’s a month-long gig, lots of people, like — just celebrating America. Can’t we all just celebrate America itself and leave Trump out of it?” Nineties rap icon Vanilla Ice — who has not withdrawn from the America 250 celebrations — made a similar case earlier in the week. “All we’re doing is celebrating the birthday of our country, what’s the big deal here? And as far as entertainers, I don’t think it’s fair to put any of us on a pedestal like that as far as politics goes because, you know, it shouldn’t matter: we’re just here to play,” he said.