Tears were flowing at the opening ceremonies of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, none more so than when Carrie Underwood performed a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful” before a shoulder-to-shoulder audience in the Capitol Rotunda.
The country music icon, whose performance was announced just weeks earlier, said in accepting the gig that she hoped to “unite” America under the second Trump administration regardless of politics. Many of his promises and past commitments, from criminal justice reform to securing the southern border, carry bipartisan support in most polls. That’s why even Underwood, who hasn’t been shy of skewering President-elect Trump in the past, feels it’s safe to come around this time.
She is just one of the curious cadre of performers on hand for inaugural festivities. The rapper Snoop Dogg, one a fierce Trump critic, performed at the pre-inaugural ball, dropping hits like “Drop it Like it’s Hot” and “Nothing but a ‘G’ Thang” while working the DJ table.
“We need to come together,” Underwood said in a statement when asked about why she accepted Trump’s offer to perform. “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. 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.”
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EntertainmentWATCH: Carrie Underwood Delivers Incredible Rendition Of ‘America The Beautiful’ At InaugurationPublished 1 day ago on January 20, 2025By Mark Steffen
Tears were flowing at the opening ceremonies of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, none more so than when Carrie Underwood performed a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful” before a shoulder-to-shoulder audience in the Capitol Rotunda.
The country music icon, whose performance was announced just weeks earlier, said in accepting the gig that she hoped to “unite” America under the second Trump administration regardless of politics. Many of his promises and past commitments, from criminal justice reform to securing the southern border, carry bipartisan support in most polls. That’s why even Underwood, who hasn’t been shy of skewering President-elect Trump in the past, feels it’s safe to come around this time.
She is just one of the curious cadre of performers on hand for inaugural festivities. The rapper Snoop Dogg, one a fierce Trump critic, performed at the pre-inaugural ball, dropping hits like “Drop it Like it’s Hot” and “Nothing but a ‘G’ Thang” while working the DJ table.
“We need to come together,” Underwood said in a statement when asked about why she accepted Trump’s offer to perform. “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. 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.”
WATCH:
On Monday, Underwood belted out a powerful version of “America the Beautiful” backed by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, despite technical difficulties. Even former President Joe Biden appeared to stand at attention behind her, singing along next to former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The moving moment brought together a bipartisan crowd of lawmakers to welcome President Trump to his first hours in office. In a stoic speech that conveyed executive strength, President Trump pledged to be a “unifier” as he seeks common ground with the Democrats who, just months ago, were eager to send him to prison.
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier,” Trump told the Rotunda crowd before referencing a deal he struck with Biden and the leaders of Israel and Hamas to secure a cease-fire. “The hostages are coming back home to their families.”