Christopher Macchio, tenor from Holbrook, will sing at Freedom 250 rally, Trump says

Holbrook tenor Christopher Macchio will join country music singer Lee Greenwood for a June 24 rally in Washington, D.C., in celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Thursday.

The announcement came after a lineup of artists, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, The Commodores, Morris Day and Young MC, pulled out of previous plans for a Freedom 250 concert series — prompting Trump to label them as "third rate artists."

On Thursday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would host the rally in the nation's capital with Greenwood, a Trump supporter known for "God Bless the USA," and Macchio, "who will sing Nessun Dorma, Hallelujah, Ave Maria, God Bless America, and others — Not since the legendary Luciano Pavarotti has there been such a voice!"

In addition, bands or choirs representing the U.S. Army, Armed Forces and Marines will perform, while Trump said he plans to speak at the event, which was originally promoted as nonpolitical.

Macchio, a graduate of Sachem High School, was handpicked by Trump to sing the national anthem at his 2025 inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. He didn't immediately return a phone message and e-mailed request for comment.

Trump has known Macchio for more than a decade, first meeting him at a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort after another singer canceled. Macchio has also performed at funerals for Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump, and his brother Robert S. Trump in 2020.

"He really loves when he hears a big, beautiful sound and a performance that strikes him as powerful and authentic," Macchio told Newsday last year of Trump. "I think he really appreciates those qualities."

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.