Jane Fonda Hosts 1st Amendment Celebration Opposite Trump’s UFC Birthday Event Sunday/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jane Fonda will host a free speech and democracy concert in New York on Sunday, directly contrasting President Donald Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 celebration at the White House. The event will feature appearances by Julia Roberts, Lily Gladstone, Bette Midler, Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright. Fonda said the concert is intended to defend First Amendment rights and push back against what she views as growing threats to free expression and democratic values.
Jane Fonda First Amendment Concert Quick Looks
- Jane Fonda is organizing the “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert.
- The event takes place Sunday in New York City.
- It coincides with Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 celebration.
- The concert promotes free speech and democratic values.
- Julia Roberts, Bette Midler and Patti Smith are among participants.
- The event will be livestreamed for public viewing.
- Fonda says free expression is under threat.
- The Committee for the First Amendment is sponsoring the concert.
- Fonda also criticized environmental rollbacks under Trump.
- The activist actress urged regulators to scrutinize major media mergers.
Deep Look
Jane Fonda Plans Alternative Event To Trump’s White House Celebration
Actor and longtime activist Jane Fonda is staging a major First Amendment-themed concert on Sunday that will serve as a cultural counterpoint to President Donald Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
While mixed martial arts fighters gather on the South Lawn to celebrate Trump’s 80th birthday and launch festivities connected to America’s 250th anniversary, Fonda’s event in New York City will focus on free speech, democracy and civic engagement.
The concert, titled “Rise Up, Sing Out,” is being organized through the Committee for the First Amendment, a group Fonda revived last year amid concerns about political polarization and attacks on free expression.
Star-Studded Lineup Supports Free Speech Message
The event will feature a high-profile collection of actors, musicians and public figures.
Scheduled participants include:
- Julia Roberts
- Lily Gladstone
- Bette Midler
- Patti Smith
- Rufus Wainwright
The concert will be held at The Town Hall, a historic New York venue founded by suffragists more than a century ago.
Organizers say the program is designed to celebrate constitutional freedoms while encouraging public engagement in democratic institutions.
The event will also be available through a livestream, expanding its audience beyond those attending in person.
Fonda Calls Current Moment A Historic Turning Point
Speaking about her motivation for organizing the concert, Fonda framed the current political climate as a defining moment in American history.
“This is our documentary moment,” Fonda told Reuters.
“History is going to write about this, and I don’t want to be on the side of people who said, ‘Oh my God, things are so bad, what am I going to do?’ No. I want to be out in the front.”
Her comments reflect a broader effort by activists and artists who argue that cultural institutions should play a more active role in public debates about democracy and civil liberties.
Decades Of Activism Shape Fonda’s Public Role
Now 88, Fonda has spent much of her life balancing a celebrated acting career with political activism.
Her advocacy dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when she became involved in movements supporting Native American rights, civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War.
She became one of the most controversial public figures of that era after visiting North Vietnam in 1972, an action that earned both intense criticism and lasting notoriety.
In later years, Fonda expressed regret over aspects of that trip, particularly a widely circulated photograph showing her seated on an anti-aircraft gun.
Despite decades of controversy, she has remained active in political and environmental causes.
Climate Advocacy Remains A Major Focus
Environmental activism continues to be one of Fonda’s primary priorities.
In recent years she has participated in numerous climate demonstrations and has been arrested multiple times during her “Fire Drill Fridays” protests in Washington.
A new documentary titled “Gaslit” follows Fonda through Texas and Louisiana as she examines the environmental consequences of oil and gas production.
“Whole communities have been razed because we insist on drilling for oil and fracked methane gas that we’re shipping around the world, that is killing people and nature and animals, and it’s got to stop,” she said.
Fonda also blamed the Trump administration for weakening environmental protections and regulations.
Media Merger Draws Additional Criticism
Beyond environmental issues, Fonda has recently spoken out against the proposed $110 billion merger involving Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
While noting that she personally respects Skydance CEO David Ellison, she expressed concerns about commitments made during the regulatory approval process.
“The lifeblood of creativity is going out the window in order to satisfy these autocrats in the White House,” Fonda said.
She has urged federal and state regulators to carefully review the transaction, arguing that media consolidation could affect diversity of viewpoints and creative freedom.
Reviving A Historic Free Speech Organization
The Committee for the First Amendment has deep roots in Hollywood history.
Fonda revived the organization in October after warning about what she viewed as increasing authoritarian tendencies and threats to free expression.
The group was originally established in 1947 by her father, legendary actor Henry Fonda, and other entertainment figures responding to investigations by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
The original mission focused on defending artistic freedom and opposing political pressure on the entertainment industry.
Fonda believes those concerns remain relevant today.
A Symbolic Contrast To Trump’s Celebration
The timing of the concert is significant.
Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event is expected to attract major political allies, athletes and supporters as part of broader celebrations tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Fonda’s event offers a very different vision of civic participation, emphasizing constitutional rights, artistic expression and democratic engagement.
Although both gatherings celebrate aspects of American identity, they reflect sharply contrasting political and cultural perspectives.
Fonda’s Message To Artists
For Fonda, the concert ultimately serves as a reminder of the importance of free expression.
“We are the storytellers, we are the artists,” she said.
“Without the First Amendment, we can’t exist.”
The event’s organizers hope that message resonates far beyond Sunday night’s performances, reinforcing the role artists and cultural leaders can play in shaping public conversations about democracy and freedom.
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