Bret Michaels Guitarist Rips Fans After Exit
Poison frontman Bret Michaels is facing renewed backlash after withdrawing from the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair, and his longtime guitarist Pete Evick has now issued a furious public defence of the singer while criticising fans he says quickly turned against him. Evick’s statement focused on Michaels’ history of supporting veterans and military causes, and argued that the reaction ignored decades of work.
Evick said that across 21 years with Michaels, they performed for troops in the Middle East and on U.S. bases, helped build homes for veterans, and that Michaels has donated millions to veteran organisations, Rock Celebrities reported.
Addressing the specific Freedom 250 booking, Evick argued that the show itself was not directly benefiting veterans and that the financial loss from cancelling fell on the band, not charities. He also noted Michaels’ past appearances at Donald Trump-related events years before Trump entered politics, saying people should consider that context before “turning your back on someone you loved 96 hours ago.”
Evick’s post also included explicit language aimed at individuals he claimed had accepted favours such as tickets, meet-and-greets, travel help, backstage access, or charity support before publicly criticising Michaels. The dispute follows Michaels’ own explanation that he pulled out due to concerns about the event becoming divisive and potential threats, a situation previously covered when he cited “threats” in his decision to withdraw.
The Freedom 250 event has been hit by multiple artist withdrawals and intensified scrutiny over its messaging and political associations. With Evick now speaking bluntly on Michaels’ behalf, the controversy appears unlikely to fade quickly as organisers continue to push forward and fans remain split over the cancellation.
