India, May 29 -- Just hours after the lineup for the "Great American State Fair" was made public, several artists began distancing themselves from the White House-backed event, with some saying they were never told about its political ties.

The fair is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, DC as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It is being organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership established by President Donald Trump.

Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach announced the lineup on Wednesday, naming artists including Grammy-nominated singer Martina McBride, dance music group C+C Music Factory, funk group The Commodores, rapper Vanilla Ice and r...