Country music superstar Carrie Underwood will perform at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. Underwood, 40, will take the stage during the ceremony in which Trump, 78, will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, a spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural Committee confirmed to PEOPLE on January 13.
Underwood, who gained fame as the winner of American Idol in 2005, has not publicly commented on the performance. The announcement comes as Trump prepares for his second term in office following his victory in the 2024 election.
Underwood’s participation in the event marks a significant moment, given her history of staying relatively private about her political views. Throughout her career, the Grammy-winning singer has maintained a focus on her music, often avoiding explicit political statements in public.
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Underwood addressed the pressure to align herself with political ideologies, noting that she strives to remain neutral, especially in the public eye. “I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins,” she explained. “It’s crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
Despite her attempts to steer clear of political discussions, some fans have speculated that certain elements of her music reflect political themes. One example is her 2018 song “The Bullet,” which addresses gun violence and its aftermath. With lyrics such as, “You can blame it on hate or blame it on guns / But mamas ain’t supposed to bury their sons,” the song sparked interpretations as a commentary on gun control. Underwood clarified, however, that the song was more about the emotional toll of violence and its lasting impact on families, rather than a political stance.
“Immediately people said, ‘Oh you have a song about gun control!’ It was more about the lives that were changed by something terrible happening,” she told The Guardian. “And it does kind of bug me when people take a song, or take something I said and try to pigeonhole or force me to pick a side or something. It’s a discussion — a long discussion.”
Underwood’s decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration comes as a surprise to some, given her previous public commentary and her occasional jabs at Trump’s presidency. In 2017, Underwood and fellow country singer Brad Paisley hosted the Country Music Association Awards (CMA) together, where they poked fun at the then-President in a comedic sketch. During the show, the pair performed a parody of Underwood’s hit song “Before He Cheats,” replacing the iconic chorus lyrics with “before he tweets.”
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“And it’s fun to watch, yeah, that’s for sure / ’Til little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war,” the duo sang onstage. “Maybe next time, he’ll think before he tweets.” The parody was widely viewed as a critique of Trump’s controversial use of Twitter during his first term.
Despite her past playful digs at the former president, Underwood’s appearance at his inauguration signals a shift in her approach to public political engagement. The 2024 inauguration marks the second time in history that Trump will be sworn in as president, after a divisive first term marked by significant controversy and polarizing policies. Underwood’s participation in the event adds her name to a list of notable performers, following in the footsteps of artists who have previously appeared at presidential inaugurations.
Trump’s 2017 inauguration featured performances by Jackie Evancho, the Radio City Rockettes, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, among others. Country artists such as Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith, and Three Doors Down also performed at pre-inauguration concerts. Underwood’s decision to participate aligns with the tradition of musical performances during such high-profile events, though it stands in contrast to her previous public commentary.
Throughout her career, Underwood has built a reputation for being a relatable, down-to-earth artist who uses her platform to address important issues, including family, faith, and personal growth. While her views on social issues may not always align with mainstream political stances, Underwood has consistently maintained a focus on her artistry, allowing her music to resonate with fans across political divides.
As the country prepares for the January 20 event, Underwood’s performance will no doubt be one of the most-watched moments of the day. Whether or not her appearance at the inauguration leads to more political commentary from the singer remains to be seen. However, as she has done in the past, Underwood is likely to continue focusing on her music and career while balancing her personal and professional life.
The 2024 inauguration marks a new chapter in the country’s political landscape, and with Underwood’s participation, it is clear that the intersection of entertainment and politics continues to evolve. Fans of the country star will no doubt be watching closely as she adds her voice to this historic occasion.
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