Carrie Underwood has been confirmed to perform America the Beautiful at the upcoming inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald J. Trump on January 20. The announcement came on Monday from Underwood’s representatives and the Trump-Vance inaugural committee, as reported by Variety.
Expressing her gratitude, Underwood said 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. 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 inauguration festivities will take place in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Underwood’s performance will feature accompaniment from the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, adding a patriotic tone to the ceremony.
Underwood’s participation brings a higher-profile name to the entertainment lineup compared to the 2017 inauguration, which faced criticism for a lack of big-name performers. At the time, America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho was the most notable artist to take the stage.
In addition to Underwood, classical crossover singer Christopher D. Macchio is slated to perform an unnamed musical selection before Vice President-elect J.D. Vance takes his oath of office.
The inclusion of Underwood, a multi-award-winning artist, signals an effort by the Trump-Vance team to elevate the ceremony’s profile with a broader appeal. The inaugural committee has emphasized unity and patriotism as central themes for the event, and Underwood’s performance aligns with that vision.
The ceremony will serve as a symbolic start to the Trump administration’s second term, with both Underwood and Macchio’s performances anticipated to set a celebratory and unifying tone.