Hollywood figures launched a counter-event Sunday night in New York City as President Donald Trump and UFC chief Dana White held their UFC Freedom 250 celebration on the White House lawns, as reported by Breitbart.

The rival production, titled “Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment,” served as the left’s response to Trump’s high-profile event.

Jane Fonda, who spearheaded the gathering, assembled an eclectic lineup of performers and speakers, including Bette Midler, Joy Reid, Julia Roberts, Patti Smith, and Rufus Wainwright.

Their common goal was to use the stage to criticize Trump and the administration’s actions.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

The evening featured segments that mixed entertainment with political messaging. Drag queens performed, and attendees were invited to take part in deep-breathing exercises and sing-alongs.

At one point, Julia Roberts told the crowd, “If we keep inhaling and exhaling, we will prevail.”

Her statement drew attention online and was shared widely by viewers, both amused and skeptical of the sentiment.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Bette Midler attended with her daughter, adding to the celebrity presence that gave the event its Hollywood draw.

Jane Fonda’s revival of the Committee for the First Amendment was the inspiration behind the concert. She reestablished the group last October, claiming concern about what she called a rise in authoritarian practices and threats to free speech.

Her father, Henry Fonda, had originally formed the group in 1947 when Hollywood actors were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. The current initiative served as her attempt to bring that legacy into a modern context.

Meanwhile, social media critics wasted no time dissecting the night’s performances. Commenters mocked elements of the show as grandstanding and disconnected from mainstream America.

Supporters, however, defended the program as a necessary artistic statement against what they viewed as political overreach. The event, they said, embodied free expression through music and performance.

In contrast, Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 celebration continued to deliver spectacle at the White House, with a crowd thrilled by the partnership between the President and the UFC organization.

The dueling scenes—one filled with fighters and flyovers, the other with songs and speeches—highlighted how divided the country’s cultural landscape remains.

By the end of the night, both camps had claimed a victory of sorts: Trump’s allies celebrated a show of power and entertainment, while Fonda’s supporters held tight to their belief in protest through art.

The evening stood as another chapter in the ongoing clash between Hollywood activism and Trump’s political movement, with neither side showing signs of backing down.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.