{"id":24715,"date":"2026-06-29T19:27:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/24715\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T19:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:27:19","slug":"u-s-ambassador-criticizes-katy-perry-at-belgium-america250-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/24715\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Ambassador Criticizes Katy Perry at Belgium America250 Event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Donald Trump\u2019s pick for U.S. ambassador to Belgium had a meltdown on stage because singer Katy Perry didn\u2019t perform at the America250 celebrations in Brussels.<\/p>\n

Ambassador Bill White was one of several people who gave a speech at the bash marking America\u2019s 250th birthday in the European nation<\/a> on Sunday, in front of thousands of invite-only guests at the public Cinquantenaire Park in Belgium\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n

There were also musical performances from the Zac Brown Band, despite being virtually unknown in Belgium, as well as country singer Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, who suffered embarrassing technical difficulties<\/a> while trying to perform the U.S. national anthem.<\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/p>\n

Bill White defended closing Brussels ‘ Cinquantenaire Park for the event, telling the crowd, \u201cBecause we\u2019re the United States of America!\u201d \/ Nicolas Economou\/Reuters<\/p>\n

However, despite White\u2019s best efforts, Perry declined to perform at the MAGA event, citing contractual obligations because she was already scheduled to headline a festival that weekend.<\/p>\n

While giving a Trump-style speech\u2014including boasting about the size of the crowd<\/a>\u2014White made sure to lash out at the \u201cI Kissed a Girl\u201d singer for her no-show.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we were gonna have Katy Perry. Who cares?\u201d White said, prompting some laughter from the crowd. \u201cKarma is a b—h. You know the joke? She was gonna perform last night. She got rained out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Katy<\/p>\n

Katy Perry was hoping to perform at the Belgian festival for the first time since 2009. \/ Kevin Mazur \/ Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Perry did not perform at the event because she was contracted to headline Belgium\u2019s Werchter Boutique festival the day before.<\/p>\n

However, her festival performance had to be canceled just hours before she was due on stage because of severe weather.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice. I am just as unhappy as you are,\u201d Perry posted <\/a>on Instagram.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Donald<\/p>\n

Donald Trump made a brief video appearance at the event in Belgium. \/ Nicolas Economou\/Reuters<\/p>\n

In February, White acknowledged Perry\u2019s conflict with the America250 event, but insisted they would still try to get her in the mix.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer contractual obligations prohibit her from talking about other events in Belgium until that concert is sold out,\u201d White told Belgian outlet The Bulletin.<\/a> \u201cSo maybe she will come the next evening, maybe not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/p>\n

Bill White said the tacky ring was made in the Belgian city of Antwerp. \/ Screengrab\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Trump also appeared at the event via a prerecorded video filmed in the Oval Office, in which he said the \u201cpeople of Belgium have never forgotten\u201d the U.S. soldiers who died in the World Wars to help keep Europe free.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s event sparked outrage among local residents because the U.S. Embassy closed the large Cinquantenaire Park for the celebration, even though it is a public space.<\/p>\n

The Daily Beast has contacted Katy Perry\u2019s team for comment.<\/p>\n