'Cancel it', Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival

US President Donald Trump has said musical performances celebrating the country's 250th birthday should be called off after several artists dropped out, citing the event's affiliation with the White House.

"Cancel it," he said in a post on Truth Social, calling the slated performers "overpriced" and "boring".

As of Sunday, only a few musical acts were still scheduled to perform out of nine featured artists originally announced on Wednesday. Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC and Bret Michaels dropped out.

Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli are still on for 26 June as is Flo Rida on 2 July. Trump said he is now considering replacing the event with a "Make America Great Again rally".

Freedom 250, the group behind the Great American State Fair concert series, was launched last year by the Trump administration and the president appointed its CEO - but it says the event is non-partisan.

The White House is partnering with Freedom 250 on the fair, part of a "series of once-in-a-generation events for America's momentous anniversary".

Freedom 250 announced on Saturday that the president will headline the fair's opening ceremony.

"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," spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said.