Bret Michaels' guitarist fires back at critics

Guitarist Pete Evick has publicly criticized fans who attacked Bret Michaels and his band after they pulled out of the Freedom 250 concert series. Michaels announced his withdrawal at the end of May 2026, citing safety concerns and threats directed at his fans, crew, and family. The event, initially framed as a celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, became politically charged, leading to fan backlash against participating artists.

Evick took to Facebook to defend the band, expressing anger at the critics. He highlighted Michaels' extensive history of charitable donations, noting that the band has given millions to veteran organizations and was an early supporter of providing free tickets to veterans. Evick emphasized that these philanthropic efforts should not be disregarded due to one performance decision.

He further pointed out that Michaels and his band have previously performed at events organized by Donald Trump, including a bachelorette party and charity events at his golf course, underscoring that their participation was never solely about politics. Evick expressed frustration that past good deeds seem erased by the current situation and that the band's commitment to veterans is wrongly questioned.

Evick concluded his post with a strong message to those who have turned against the band, especially those who have benefited from their generosity, telling them to "F-k off." He also drew a parallel to safety concerns raised by Joe Rogan, urging critics to address similar issues there before attacking Michaels.