Carrie Underwood Performs a Cappella at Donald Trump’s Inauguration After Drawn-Out Technical Difficulties

January 22, 2025 Duy191098 Blog 0

The ‘American Idol’ alum said she was “honored” to be asked to perform at Trump’s inaugural ceremony

By Marina Watts is a Digital Writer, Music at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Bustle, The US Sun, Newsweek and OK! Magazine.

Published on January 20, 2025 12:53PM EST

Country music artist Carrie Underwood performs during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States
Carrie Underwood performing at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Carrie Underwood honored the new president with a rare political performance.

On Monday, Jan. 20, Underwood, 41, performed “America the Beautiful” inside the Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. during President Donald Trump‘s inauguration, which was moved indoors due to freezing conditions.

After facing technical difficulties that delayed her performance, Underwood took the platform to sing a cappella, asking attendees to join her, saying, “You know the words.” Many in the crowd, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, sang along.

After finishing the tune, the country singer shook hands with President Trump and newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance before exiting the stage.

Carrie Underwood performs "America The Beautiful" during inauguration ceremonies in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
Carrie Underwood performing at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. Kevin Lamarque – Pool/Getty

On Monday, Jan. 13, a Presidential Inaugural Committee spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the American Idol alum would be performing at Trump’s inauguration. Later that same day, the “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer addressed her decision to perform at the swearing-in ceremony for Trump, 78.

Country music artist Carrie Underwood performs during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
Carrie Underwood performing at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. CHIP SOMODEVILLA/AFP via Getty

“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,” Underwood said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time. “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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US singer songwriter Carrie Underwood performs "America the Beautiful" after President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.
Carrie Underwood performing at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty

Underwood had kept her political views private for years because, as she told The Guardian in 2019, “nobody wins.”

“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,” she told the publication at the time.

At Trump’s inauguration in 2017, America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho, the Radio City Rockettes, The Missouri State University Chorale and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed as part of the inaugural festivities.