Here's the difference between the America250 and Freedom 250 celebrations

• Those concerts were organized by Freedom 250, a White House-established initiative.
• America250, a separate, Congress-approved missive, has planned events nationwide in the run-up to Independence Day.

The intrigue: Several of the performers who canceled cited being misled about the event.

• Country singer Martina McBride said on Instagram that she "was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states. ...Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening."
• Rock singer Brett Michaels and rapper MC Young made similar statements, but no one elaborated on what changed or why.

Freedom 250 organizers told Axios in an emailed statement that it's a "nonpartisan" nonprofit dedicated to uniting Americans and showcasing "what makes America exceptional."

Here's the difference between Freedom 250 and America250:

Freedom 250's origins

Freedom 250 was established in the first week of Trump's second term. The same order also created White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday.

• Trump previously said Freedom 250 would produce the "most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen" and operate as a public-private partnership.

Zoom in: Donors who give at least $1 million to Freedom 250 can attend a private reception with Trump and receive a historic photo opportunity, according to a sponsorship package first obtained by the New York Times.

• The fund resembles the vehicle set up to receive payments for Trump's proposed ballroom, allowing undisclosed donors to lobby and fund a Trump project in hopes he will later act favorably toward their companies' interests.

Freedom 250 is planning events that reflect Trump's flair for spectacle.

• That includes a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn, an IndyCar race through downtown Washington, D.C., a FIFA World Cup fan zone and the Great American State Fair — both to be held on the National Mall.
• The concerts that stirred up such controversy are part of the fair's entertainment, which also includes invitations for all 50 states to bring a state-relevant cultural exhibit — Michigan's, for example, will feature a mechanical milking cow.

What they're saying: A White House spokesperson told Axios Freedom 250 does not replace the America250 but adds to it.

• "The two have collaborated on key initiatives... to ensure the anniversary is both deeply rooted in communities and fully realized at a national scale," the spokesperson said.

America250's origins

Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2016 to help plan events around the country.

• The commission is pursuing "350 for 250" — an ambitious plan to unite all 350 million Americans by the 250th anniversary.

America250 is planning events more traditionally associated with America's heritage.

• They include America's Block Party, planned community celebrations nationwide on July 3-4, and Giving 4th, which organizers hope will "transform Independence Day into the largest single day of charitable giving in U.S. history."
• The group is also creating a time capsule filled with a "collection of letters and artifacts representing American life in 2026" to be opened on America's 500th birthday. It also ran a writing contest for schoolchildren answering the prompt "What America means to them."

What we're watching: America250 says they've received a "portion" of the $50 million Congress appropriated for them, and they "remain in conversations with [Department of the Interior] for the remaining funds."

• $10 million of congressionally appropriated funds have been rerouted to Freedom 250.

Go deeper: Trump-linked Freedom 250th concert series runs into trouble

Editor's note: This article has been updated with White House comment.