Vanilla Ice stands by decision to perform at Freedom 250 despite performer boycotts

Rapper Vanilla Ice is standing by his decision to remain in the lineup at the Freedom 250's Great American State Fair, even as other artists pulled out of the event amid anti-Trump backlash. 

The 16-day festival, to be held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is part of the nation's 250th anniversary. It's being organized by a Trump-backed nonprofit, Freedom 250. 

Several artists who originally signed up to perform later backed out, claiming they were misled to believe the event would be politically neutral, only to later learn the event has strong ties to the Trump administration. 

Poison's Brett Michaels, country singer Martina McBride, Young MC, Morris Day & The Time, and C+C Music Factory were originally billed to perform but later withdrew. 

Vanilla Ice, however, said he's not backing out and won't be deterred by the criticism of artists who are remaining in the lineup. The 1990s rapper said he is "honored" to have been asked to perform at the event, and he believes it's unfair that the artists still planning to perform are being dragged into a political dispute. 

"I'm reinforced. I'm here. I am committed. Once you commit, you don't quit, man. And that's how I am," Vanilla Ice told FOX News.