Rock legend Sammy Hagar is challenging criticism over his planned appearance at the Freedom 250 celebration in Washington, D.C., maintaining the event was about honoring America’s 250th birthday—not politics.
The former Van Halen frontman was scheduled for a surprise performance at the White House-backed Independence Day celebration before severe thunderstorms forced organizers to evacuate the event and cancel the remainder of the festivities.
But after news of his planned appearance became public, Hagar faced backlash from some fans on social media who accused him of supporting President Donald Trump’s administration by participating in the event.
The criticism intensified after Hagar shared footage of himself rehearsing for the celebration.
“This is the most tone deaf thing you’ve ever done,” one commenter wrote, according to USA Today.
Another added, “Anyone who is associated with this fiasco is not someone that I can support. I am very very disappointed in the choice you made.”
Hagar responded directly to the criticism, arguing that the celebration transcended politics.
“This is not a political thing!” Hagar wrote in the comments. “This is the celebration of our country’s birthday no matter who the president is at this time. I sincerely can’t understand why anyone would have a problem with this.”
Following the weather-related cancellation, Hagar shared a photo on Instagram of the handwritten remarks he had planned to deliver before taking the stage.
“Right now we are celebrating our countrys 250th birthday and right now would be a good time to reunite this country,” the speech began.
His message emphasized national unity during the historic anniversary rather than partisan politics, echoing his earlier comments that Independence Day celebrations should not be viewed through a political lens.
Hagar was not the only artist affected by the cancellation. Southern rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd were also forced to cancel their performance due to the weather, while rapper Vanilla Ice and several other scheduled acts were unable to take the stage.
In the days leading up to the event, Hagar and his band had already performed two concerts in Washington, D.C., a fact he highlighted on social media following the cancellation.
The 77-year-old rocker continues to maintain an active touring schedule. His current band includes original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and after completing their American dates, they are scheduled to head to England for a summer tour before beginning a Las Vegas residency in September.
Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985 after replacing original frontman David Lee Roth, helping usher in one of the band’s most commercially successful eras with albums including 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
While the Freedom 250 performance never took place, the controversy surrounding Hagar’s planned appearance highlights the increasingly polarized reaction public figures face. Hagar, however, has maintained that celebrating America’s birthday should not be viewed as an endorsement of any political party or administration.
READ NEXT: Multiple Artists Drop Out Of Freedom 250 Concert
