Carrie Underwood to Perform at Donald Trump’s Inauguration, Surprising Some Fans

Carrie Underwood is set to perform at Donald Trump‘s second inauguration.

The country music star will sing “America the Beautiful” during the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

“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. “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.”

The decision has shocked some of Underwood’s fans on social media given the “Last Name” singer doesn’t have a history of being political.

“I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins,” the Grammy winner told The Guardian in 2019. “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.”

In 2017, Underwood also mocked Trump onstage during a performance at the CMA Awards as part of a parody song with Brad Paisley.

On social media, many were dismayed by Underwood’s choice and predicted the move would harm her career. “I hope Carrie Underwood is being paid well for her gig at Trump’s Inauguration, because I believe it’ll be one of the last meaningful (I use that word loosely here) gigs she gets,” wrote singer Cory A. Legendre. But Trump supporters hailed Underwood’s decision, and compared it (positively) to Taylor Swift endorsing Joe Biden last year.

Trump has long struggled to get high-wattage celebrities to perform at his events. In 2017, the list of musicians who reportedly turned down performing at Trump’s first inauguration included Elton John, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Idina Menzel and KISS.

On last year’s campaign trail, Trump’s team booked performances by Kanye West, Jason Aldean and Kid Rock.

Other performers at this month’s inauguration reportedly include The Armed Forces Chorus and The United States Naval Academy Glee Club.

In 2021, performers at Joe Biden’s inauguration included Brooks, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez.