Carrie Underwood Faces Backlash for Trump Inauguration Performance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Country music star Carrie Underwood is set to perform at President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony on Monday, sparking mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The Grammy-winning artist, known for hits like “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” will sing “America the Beautiful” alongside the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.

Underwood, who has largely avoided public political statements throughout her career, expressed her patriotism in a statement. “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.”

Her decision to perform has drawn both praise and criticism. While some fans applauded her for rising above politics, others questioned her alignment with Trump, whose policies have been divisive. On social media, some users vowed to remove her music from their playlists, while others defended her choice as a patriotic act.

Robert Thompson, a professor of pop culture at Syracuse University, noted the shifting dynamics of celebrity involvement in political events. “The people who are coming out and participating directly are still a small subset of the entire universe of what we call celebrity,” he said. “But we’re seeing a lot more celebrities who are coming out and supporting Trump. There may not be that distinct division that we saw before.”

Underwood’s performance marks a contrast to Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, when many A-list celebrities avoided the event. This time, the lineup includes other notable names such as Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and The Village People, signaling a broader acceptance among some entertainers.

Despite the backlash, Underwood has remained steadfast in her decision. In a 2019 interview, she expressed frustration over being politicized. “I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins,” she said. “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.”

As the inauguration approaches, Underwood’s performance is poised to be a defining moment in her career, blending her musical legacy with the complexities of modern political culture.