Carrie Underwood slated to perform at Trump’s inauguration

Country music sensation Carrie Underwood is set to perform “America the Beautiful” at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to a program obtained by CNN and confirmed by a spokesperson for the inaugural committee. The performance, scheduled for January 20 at the U.S. Capitol, marks a significant moment for both Underwood and the event, as she joins a select group of entertainers chosen to participate in the inauguration.

In a statement to CNN, Underwood expressed her honor and enthusiasm about the opportunity. “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

The event will include the traditional presidential oath of office administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh expected to administer the oath to Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Underwood’s participation in the inauguration is particularly noteworthy given the historical tension between Hollywood and Trump’s political career. Throughout his presidency and prior campaigns, Trump has faced challenges in securing support from the entertainment industry, especially in Hollywood. In fact, his first term and subsequent election bids were marked by a noticeable absence of major Hollywood celebrities backing him. At the Republican National Convention in the previous election cycle, two of the biggest stars who appeared alongside Trump were musician Kid Rock and retired WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan—far from the caliber of high-profile talent like Underwood.

Underwood’s involvement is a coup for the inauguration, as she is one of country music’s most prominent figures. With a career that includes multiple Grammy Awards, numerous platinum albums, and widespread recognition, Underwood has built an impressive public profile. In addition to her music career, she is widely recognized as the face of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and is set to appear as a judge on ABC’s “American Idol” this March. The singing competition show, where Underwood won in 2005, launched her career to stardom, and her role as a judge further cements her status as a mainstream celebrity.

While her appearance at the inauguration is likely to be celebrated by many of her fans, especially those in the NFL audience, it also places her in a position where she risks alienating fans who lean left politically or who are aligned with Hollywood’s more liberal views. Over the course of her career, Underwood has largely kept her personal political beliefs private, making her public participation in such a high-profile event a notable shift. She did not mention Trump by name in her statement, instead focusing on the theme of national unity and looking toward the future. Nevertheless, her decision to publicly align with Trump sends a powerful message, particularly as she has remained relatively private about her political views.

Historically, Hollywood has been more closely associated with the Democratic Party, and this trend has been particularly evident in recent presidential elections. However, country music has long been seen as an outlier in this regard, with many country stars expressing more conservative views. Despite this, the genre has seen a shift in recent years, with some newer artists taking more progressive stances. During the most recent election cycle, country music stars such as Mickey Guyton and Maren Morris supported Vice President Kamala Harris, signaling that the genre is becoming more politically diverse.

Underwood’s decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration highlights this evolving dynamic within country music. It also underscores the complex relationship between celebrities and politics in the modern era, where public figures often face significant scrutiny for aligning with one side or the other. While her participation is an important moment in her career, it also adds to the broader conversation about the intersection of entertainment, politics, and public opinion in the United States.

As the inauguration approaches, all eyes will be on the event, and Underwood’s performance will likely become one of its key moments. Her involvement in such a politically charged event demonstrates both the power of celebrity in shaping political narratives and the continuing role that music and entertainment play in American political life.

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