America’s 250th birthday belongs to all Americans.

“Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”

That was the statement released by the Commodores after they withdrew from President Trump’s planned celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, joining five other acts that also pulled out of the event.

Ironically, their statement perfectly illustrates the problem with politics in America today.

If they truly support the betterment of all Americans, why not participate in a celebration honoring the nation itself?

We’re told some performers didn’t want to be associated with an event connected to Trump because they wanted to appeal to their entire fan base, not just Trump supporters. Though by pulling out, they managed to alienate millions of Trump-supporting Americans anyway. That’s a curious strategy.

Next month, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. Think about that for a moment. Two hundred and fifty years.

Through wars, depressions, political scandals, social upheaval, economic booms and busts, and every imaginable disagreement, the American experiment has endured. Yet somehow we’ve reached a point where many people can’t agree to celebrate our country’s birthday.

Opponents of the event argue there are more pressing issues facing the nation, including economic concerns, social justice causes, and international conflicts. Fair enough. Those are important issues.

But when exactly has America ever been free of pressing issues?

The Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence while risking execution for treason. Abraham Lincoln led the nation through a Civil War that threatened to tear the country apart and ultimately gave his life for the cause. John Kennedy guided the nation through the Cuban Missile Crisis when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war. Every generation of Americans has faced challenges that seemed overwhelming at the time.

And yet, we endured. That, my friends, is the genius of America.

The nation’s 250th birthday isn’t an endorsement of a political party. It’s not a campaign rally. It isn’t a vote for Republicans or Democrats. It’s recognition that the United States has survived long enough to reach a milestone few nations in history have ever achieved.

Critics continue to blame Donald Trump for turning the anniversary into a political exercise. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, accused Trump and his supporters of undermining what should have been a unifying moment.

Perhaps there’s some truth to that criticism.

Trump rarely misses an opportunity to put his own stamp on an event. Reports that his family company is marketing America 250 merchandise and discussions about placing Trump’s image on a commemorative $250 bill only reinforce the perception that everything eventually becomes about Donald Trump.

Frankly, that’s unnecessary.

Then again, a commemorative $250 bill for America’s 250th anniversary is marketing genius, regardless of whose face appears on it. Personally, I’d put the Capitol building on it, sitting in a swamp. That would be the first piece of government issued currency that actually reflects reality. If Americans can survive Congress for 250 years, we can survive just about anything.

America’s birthday shouldn’t require a Trump brand, a Biden brand, or any other political brand. The occasion is important enough on its own.

As presidential historian Craig Shirley observed, other presidents have put their own spin on national celebrations. The difference is that when Trump is involved, even a birthday party for the nation becomes another battlefield in America’s endless political war.

That’s unfortunate. Historians will someday look back and wonder why Americans spent so much time fighting one another when they had so much to celebrate.

Donald Trump is the President of the United States. Whether you voted for him, voted against him, or simply wish politics occupied less of your daily life, he occupies the office during this historic anniversary.

The question isn’t whether Trump is involved. Of course he is. The better question is what those criticizing the celebration are doing to promote the anniversary themselves. Trump has the largest megaphone in the country. Any president would use it to help lead a national observance of this magnitude.

The real question is whether Americans can put aside their political grudges long enough to celebrate the country itself. Two hundred and fifty years is a milestone few nations ever reach. That achievement belongs to all of us.

The partisan score settling, political theatrics, and endless outrage can wait.

America only turns 250 once.