As Donald Trump returns to the White House as the 47th U.S. president on January 20, 2025, a wide array of country, pop, and hip-hop artists are in Washington D.C. to perform at official inauguration events. Among them, new “American Idol” judge Carrie Underwood is the only female celebrity scheduled to perform.
The country superstar made headlines on January 13 when a Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee spokesperson confirmed to outlets including Fox News Digital that Underwood would perform “America the Beautiful” during the swearing-in ceremony, which has been moved indoors due to bitterly cold temperatures.
Underwood’s decision to perform has divided her fans, with some thrilled and others disappointed by her implied support of Trump. In response, she told Today.com 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.”
Inauguration Ceremony Performers: Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood & More
EntertainmentNOW/GettyCarrie Underwood, Lee GreenwoodTrump will officially begin his second term in office after he is sworn in at noon Eastern time, per Forbes. The inauguration ceremony will begin after Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump meet for tea with outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. All major broadcast TV networks will be broadcasting live throughout the morning.
The ceremony will start with a musical prelude by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Combined Choirs and “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, according to CBS News. After Reverend Franklin Graham delivers the invocation, one of Trump’s favorite artists, opera singer Christopher Macchio will sing “Oh America!”
Underwood’s performance of “America the Beautiful” will occur after Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh administers the vice presidential oath of office to JD Vance, and just before Trump is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.
On January 15, Lee Greenwood told Fox News that he’ll perform his patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.” with the U.S. Marine Corps Band “just before the president takes his oath.” Macchio, meanwhile, is expected to close the ceremony with the National Anthem.
In other celebrity sightings to watch for, there will be a billionaires club seated together at the ceremony, according to NBC News. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will sit on the platform alongside Trump’s cabinet, per the outlet.
Inaugural Balls to Feature Performances by Multiple Celebrities, From Jason Aldean to Gavin DeGraw
There will be at least 17 inauguration balls held at different Washington D.C. venues, according to the Washingtonian, but only three official galas, with an appearance by the Trumps expected at each.
Country star Jason Aldean, fresh off performing at “Idol” judge Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa music festival, is scheduled to perform at the Liberty Ball, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers, as are The Village People, whose “Y.M.C.A” was frequently played at Trump’s campaign events. According to WUSA9, hip-hop star Nelly has also been confirmed as a performer at the Liberty Ball.
The Commander-in-Chief Ball, which will be streamed via the DVids website, will feature chart-topping country trio Rascal Flatts, per NPR, who recently reunited to kick off a 2025 tour. Country star Parker McCollum is also expected to perform his hits “Burn It Down” and “Pretty Heart” at the ball, NPR reported.
Meanwhile, NPR said indie-pop star Gavin DeGraw, whose hits include “Chariot” and “I Don’t Wanna Be,” will perform at the Starlight Ball, held for Trump’s biggest donors.
More Celebrities Performed at Victory Rally on Eve of Inauguration
On the eve of Trump’s inauguration, he and other celebrities revved up supporters at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally, held at Capital One arena in Washington D.C.
Stars who performed, according to ABC News, included The Village People, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, and the Liberty University’s Praise Choir. Musk was also on hand to speak to the crowd, and Trump danced as The Village People performed.
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