Country music sensation Carrie Underwood has been chosen to perform the iconic patriotic song “America the Beautiful” at the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump. In addition, the renowned musical group Village People, known for their 1970s hits, will be performing at two inaugural events. This star-studded lineup promises to add a touch of musical enchantment to the festivities.
According to a copy of the inaugural program provided to The Associated Press on Monday, Underwood, who rose to fame on “American Idol,” is scheduled to perform just before Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.
Country music superstar Carrie Underwood expressed her deep love and gratitude for her country as she shared her excitement about being asked to perform at the Inauguration and being involved in such a momentous occasion. In a statement released on Monday, Underwood emphasized her honor in participating and considered it a humble opportunity to contribute to the spirit of unity and collective hope for the future.
The Village People, an American disco group, gained recognition in the late-70s for their catchy dance-pop songs and vibrant stage personas. Their popular track “Y.M.C.A.” is widely recognized as a gay anthem and was frequently played at Trump’s rallies during the last election, alongside their hit single “Macho Man.”
The American disco group has been scheduled to perform at one of Trump’s inaugural balls and a rally he is hosting in Washington the day before his inauguration.
“We understand that not everyone will be pleased to hear this, but we firmly believe that music should be enjoyed without being influenced by political factors,” stated the band in a post on their Facebook page on Monday. “Our song Y.M.C.A. is a universal anthem that aims to unite people, especially in times of division and turmoil, such as the recent political campaign where our preferred candidate did not succeed. Therefore, we believe it is now crucial to bring the nation together through the power of music. That is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
The inauguration ceremony will feature two musicians who are among the president-elect’s personal favorites: country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.
The inauguration of a new president is set to begin this weekend with a series of events in Washington. The festivities will commence with a dazzling fireworks show at Trump’s golf club in Sterling, Virginia, followed by a campaign-style rally in D.C. Additionally, there will be a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, as well as extravagant dinners. Finally, the former president will take the oath to officially become the next president.
Trump’s second inauguration is anticipated to be a stark departure from the previous occasion when the country witnessed the installation of a new president. Demonstrating his refusal to acknowledge the outcome of the 2020 election, Trump chose not to attend Democratic President Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. The event took place against the backdrop of the chilling aftermath of the violent siege on the Capitol by Trump’s supporters on January 6, 2021.
The committee organizing Trump’s inaugural ceremonies unveiled a four-day schedule of events on Monday, focusing on the swearing-in ceremony on January 20th, which Biden intends to attend.
In a statement, Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler, the co-chairs of the inaugural committee, expressed that President Trump is committed to bringing the country together by focusing on the strength, security, and opportunity of his America First agenda.
Witkoff serves as Trump’s future Middle East envoy, while Loeffler, a former Georgia senator, has been chosen by Trump to lead the Small Business Administration.
“The 2025 inauguration festivities will showcase President-elect Trump’s momentous return to the White House, symbolizing the resounding support from the American people to Make America Great Again,” expressed Witkoff and Loeffler.
On Saturday, Trump has a scheduled reception and fireworks display at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Vice President-elect JD Vance will also be attending a reception for the incoming Cabinet members and hosting a dinner.
On Sunday, the president-elect will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Following that, he will hold a campaign-style “MAGA Victory” rally at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington. The rally will feature a performance by the Village People.
The Republicans have an exciting lineup of events planned for Inauguration Day. They will start with a delightful tea at the White House, followed by the official swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. After that, they will enjoy a sumptuous congressional luncheon before heading out for a grand parade on Pennsylvania Avenue. The festivities will conclude with three fabulous balls, where everyone will have a fantastic time celebrating the new administration.
The lineup of inaugural balls boasts a range of events catering to different groups. The Commander in Chief Ball puts the spotlight on military service members, while the Liberty Inaugural Ball is designed with Trump supporters in mind and even promises a performance from the iconic Village People. Additionally, the Starlight Ball caters to high-dollar donors. Trump will be delivering speeches at all three of these esteemed gatherings.
The presidential parade following Trump’s inauguration will feature approximately 7,500 individuals, including first responders, veterans groups, and school marching bands. Notably, first responders from Butler County, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, will be among the distinguished participants.
Incoming first lady Melania Trump is set to join the Bidens for tea. Unlike in 2021, when the Trumps did not extend an invitation for a pre-inauguration tea, this time Melania Trump will be present for the occasion. It is worth noting that in November, when President-elect Joe Biden invited Donald Trump to the White House, Melania Trump opted not to attend.
On Tuesday, President Trump will begin his first full day in office with a National Prayer Service in the morning.
Greenwood is set to perform as Trump walks out to take the oath, as announced by Trump’s inaugural committee. Macchio has been selected by Trump to perform the National Anthem at the conclusion of the program.
Macchio took the stage at the Republican National Convention in July, at Trump’s subsequent rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in October, following an assassination attempt at his first rally there. He also performed during Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, which received criticism for the offensive and racist jokes made by some speakers.
The invocation will be delivered by Franklin Graham, the son of the late pastor Billy Graham, along with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
In 2017, Trump’s inauguration showcased captivating performances from esteemed artists such as the Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the talented 16-year-old singer Jackie Evancho, who had gained recognition from her appearance on “America’s Got Talent.”
In addition to the official events on Trump’s schedule, there are various satellite and unofficial gatherings in Washington to celebrate and raise a toast to the incoming president. Vance has plans to attend a ball organized by the conservative group Turning Point USA. Several other groups have also announced their own events, including the Coronation Ball, the All American Ball, the Crypto Ball, and the Legacy of Freedom Ball, hosted by the Black Conservative Federation.
Celebrities slated to make appearances at the Legacy of Freedom Ball on Sunday include renowned rappers Waka Flocka and Fivio Foreign, popular YouTube personality Anton Daniels, former NFL player Antonio Brown, and the dynamic podcasters and YouTubers known as The Cartier Family.