Critics Mock Trump's 'Freedom 250' For Including 1 Of Pop Music's Most Infamous Acts

One of the acts announced for this summer’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary has left plenty of people scratching their heads.

Freedom 250, the organization created by President Donald Trump to spearhead the anniversary events, announced on Wednesday that this summer’s “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall would feature Martina McBride, Vanilla Ice and C+C Music Factory as well as Morris Day & The Time, who later announced they would not be performing.

But one name on the list caused a bit of confusion: Milli Vanilli, the European duo best known for not singing their songs.

The group was initially composed of Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus, the latter of whom died in 1998. Morvan has been performing the music solo on stage in recent years, with live vocals usually accompanied by a DJ.

Milli Vanilli won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1990 and sold out arenas on the strength of their chart-topping album, “Girl You Know It’s True.” But everything came crashing down later that year when it was revealed that their albums were actually the work of studio musicians; they didn’t perform on the recordings at all, and lip-synced in concert.

Their Grammy Award was revoked ― the first and only time that’s ever happened ― and consumers who purchased the music were offered refunds.

Although some saw the duo as a cautionary tale of the entertainment industry exploiting young talent, the band still became a punchline and their name became synonymous with fraud.

The news release announcing their selection didn’t mention that history. It simply stated that Milli Vanilli was the “internationally recognized act known for chart-toppers including ‘Girl You Know It’s True.’”

Critics on social media were baffled by the selection:

I’m sorry, if you had pitched “Donald Trump will get Milli Vanilli to play in honor of America’s 250th birthday” as a joke on Weekend Update they would have laughed you out of the room.

— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) May 27, 2026

Can’t tell if real or parody, but Milli Vanilli is a little too on the nose for this administration. https://t.co/S31bBTSFcE

— Brad (@ballskwok) May 27, 2026

Umm….is that list real? I mean….Milli Vanilli???

— Tony Perkins (@TonyPerkinsFMTV) May 27, 2026

Are the organizers aware that the Milli Vanili guys didn’t sing, are German, and, in one of two cases, dead? https://t.co/2qLinexwRj

— Dan Friedman (@dfriedman33) May 27, 2026

Milli Vanilli??? The German group from 40 years ago, now famous only for faking their vocals??? https://t.co/rmdjwkMFO1

— Nikolaj🇺🇦🇵🇸 (@nikicaga) May 27, 2026

Milli Vanilli – a bit on the nose. https://t.co/MnjIn5QL2u

— Rob Silver (@RobSilver) May 27, 2026

We’re celebrating America with Milli Vanilli

A group famous for being a producer-manufactured fraud

What idiot put this together? https://t.co/rWTRQKsnBp

— Auron MacIntyre (@AuronMacintyre) May 27, 2026

The concept of only half of Milli Vanilli existing and they still book it https://t.co/ZSBcubWDrW

— Bartókian Nightmare (@BartokianN) May 27, 2026

Milli Vanilli!! 😂 https://t.co/Av8FKGI7Zq

— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) May 27, 2026

Will Milli Vanilli be singing or nah https://t.co/54YdtgUDgM

— 2 Thighz & A Biscuit (@BigBootyJudy814) May 28, 2026

Milli Vanilli getting booked for shows in 2026 is beyond hilarity. Like who did they call to book them?!? https://t.co/NjYWJB9Nwj

Read more Sen. Chris Van Hollen Gives Democrats A Reality Check On Israel

— Melech. (@MelechThomas) May 27, 2026