By Solange Reyner | Friday, 29 May 2026 04:39 PM EDT
Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell criticized country music star Martina McBride after she announced she was withdrawing from an upcoming performance at the Great American State Fair, accusing the singer of holding left-wing political views.
“You’ve always been a woke Lefty,” Grenell wrote on X in response to McBride’s announcement.
The exchange followed McBride’s decision to pull out of the Freedom 250 Concert Series, which is scheduled to take place during the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.
In a statement posted to X, McBride said she agreed to participate after being told the event was nonpartisan and intended to celebrate all 50 states.
“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th,” McBride wrote.
“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
McBride said she had asked organizers numerous questions before agreeing to appear and was assured the event was designed to unite Americans through music and a shared celebration of the nation’s states.
“In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,” she wrote.
The Grammy-nominated singer did not specify what prompted her conclusion that the event was not nonpartisan. However, her withdrawal came after public scrutiny of the fair’s lineup and associations with conservative political figures.
Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany during President Donald Trump’s first administration and a prominent supporter of the president, responded directly to McBride’s announcement on social media.
Neither Grenell nor McBride immediately elaborated beyond their public statements.
The Great American State Fair has promoted itself as a nationwide celebration tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, featuring exhibits, entertainment, and representation from all 50 states. Organizers have described the Freedom 250 Concert Series as part of that broader effort.
McBride, one of country music’s most recognizable performers, has built a career spanning more than three decades and is known for hits including “Independence Day,” “A Broken Wing,” and “This One’s for the Girls.”
Her withdrawal adds to ongoing debates over politics and entertainment as artists increasingly face pressure from supporters and critics over appearances at events that become associated with political causes or figures.
Organizers of the Great American State Fair have not publicly responded to McBride’s decision.
