Carrie Underwood is set to bring her powerful voice to a historic moment as she performs “America the Beautiful” at the second inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20. The announcement, confirmed by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly anticipating the country music superstar’s performance during such a high-profile event.
Underwood, one of the most successful artists in modern music history, will take the stage following the swearing-in of Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and just before Trump officially takes the oath of office for his second term. She will be joined by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, making her rendition of the patriotic classic even more memorable.
The news first broke on X (formerly Twitter) when journalist Matthew Foldi shared a photo of the official program for the inauguration. Underwood’s involvement underscores the celebratory and unifying tone the Trump-Vance team appears to be aiming for as they embark on a new chapter of their administration.
NEWS:@carrieunderwood performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration pic.twitter.com/pek9EdBwkm
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) January 13, 2025
This won’t be the first time an inauguration has seen music take center stage, but it’s worth noting that Underwood is one of the most prominent stars to align herself with a political event of this magnitude in recent years.
Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 featured performances from country legends like Toby Keith, Big & Rich, and the Radio City Rockettes, while President Joe Biden’s 2021 ceremony leaned heavily on pop and rock icons like Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga. Underwood’s involvement adds a unique dimension to this year’s program, highlighting her broad appeal and her standing as one of America’s most celebrated artists.
Despite her incredible success—selling over 70 million records worldwide and earning countless awards—Underwood has typically shied away from political commentary, choosing instead to focus on her music and philanthropy.
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she expressed her desire to stay out of political debates, stating, “I feel like more people try to pin me places politically. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
While Underwood has maintained her public neutrality, her husband, retired NHL star Mike Fisher, hasn’t been as hesitant to voice his opinions. Fisher gained attention for publicly supporting NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers when Rodgers opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates, signaling the couple’s willingness to engage with culturally significant debates, albeit sparingly.
