Donald Trump makes Elvis Presley claim as he floats 'major speech' after artists pull out of birthday concerts

Donald Trump is considering cancelling a series of concerts after a number of artists pulled out - and holding a political-style rally instead.

The summer shows in Washington DC were planned as part of The Great American State Fair, which is being staged to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary.

However, a number of artists, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and the Commodores, have dropped out of the celebrations, which are being organised by the Freedom 250 group.

It is described as a "non-partisan" organisation, but was launched last year by Mr Trump and is headed by Keith Krach, a first-term Trump appointee for the State Department.

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On Friday, ​Michaels, the lead singer of the rock band Poison, ⁠became the fifth performer to withdraw ⁠from the concerts.

In an Instagram post, Michaels wrote that he had thought his show would be a chance to "honour our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life".

But he concluded that the event had "evolved into something much more divisive".

The withdrawals have seemingly prompted a rethink, and on Saturday Mr Trump floated the idea of an "America is back rally" in a post on Truth Social, suggesting that he is a bigger draw than the late Elvis Presley "in his prime".

Trump wrote: "I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate 'Artists,' and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!"

He added: "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.

"Only Great Patriots invited - It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America!"

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Mr Trump also lashed out after a federal judge who ordered the removal of his name from the Kennedy Center in Washington.

He branded US District Judge Christopher Cooper an "an anti Trump Hater" - and predicted that the performing arts venue he wanted to close for a two-year overhaul would "soon" shut, "probably never to open again".

(c) Sky News 2026: Donald Trump makes Elvis Presley claim as he floats 'major speech' after artists