Carrie Underwood at the Inauguration – Fame, Politics, and a Divided Nation

Every four years in America, the presidential inauguration marks either the continuation of an incumbent’s term or the arrival of a new president at the White House. From George Washington to President Trump, politics has become a place of polarized audiences and split opinions. Every new inauguration also comes with a new musician to sing a patriotic song and welcome the new president to office. This year, Carrie Underwood sang “America the Beautiful” for Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration. However, due to how dividing this election cycle became, her presence was a political statement that has American people split politically and morally. This begs the question: why was Carrie Underwood even there?

A Moment to Shine

Could performing at the inauguration shine the spotlight on Carrie Underwood? Most certainly. The original ceremony was to be held outside with at least 220,000 attendees (Trump’s inauguration in 2017 reportedly had 300,000-600,000 attendees). However, the ceremony was moved indoors due to cold weather advisories, condensing the crowd to around 600. For those who could not attend, numerous news outlets live-streamed the ceremony onto their YouTube channels. Respectively, these streams for each channel, within 24 hours, were around 117,000 on NBC News, 1.5 million on CNN, and 4.3 million viewers on the “LiveNow on Fox” YouTube Channel. However, Carrie Underwood is considered one of country music’s biggest stars with eight Grammy wins and 16 Academy of Country Music awards. Performing at President Trump’s inauguration shines a light on her, for sure, but not to get the exposure an up-and-coming artist would need, especially considering how the original audience numbers were drastically reduced after changing venues.

Carrie Underwood at the Inauguration - Fame, Politics, and a Divided Nation

Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images

Financial Gain

With a net worth of $120 million in 2025, it is quite safe to assume Carrie Underwood did not perform at the Inauguration solely for financial gain. Underwood justified her performance in a statement to PEOPLE Magazine “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.” The iconic country singer’s status as beloved and wealthy allows her to participate in an otherwise controversial event. Meanwhile, lesser-known artists or celebrities may just associate themselves with the side of politics that they think will help them make the most money, rather than stand behind what they actually believe in. Especially in the case of Donald Trump, who makes endless economic promises, artists may be inclined to make decisions to secure not only fame but also financial gain. 

Devotion to a Party or a Cause

When artists perform at political events, their involvement often questions their loyalty to a particular party or cause. Given the nature of these events, it is easy to assume that their performances endorse the party’s political ideologies. Carrie Underwood’s case though is quite emblematic considering the singer has long kept her political affiliation under wraps. “I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins”, In 2019, she told The Guardian. “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.”

Carrie Underwood at the Inauguration - Fame, Politics, and a Divided Nation

Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

Yet, many artists have historically aligned themselves with political figures during moments like inaugurations, where music intersects with national identity. One such case is President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. The “We Are One” concert at the Lincoln Memorial saw performances from Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and U2, who had a long history of supporting Democratic candidates and progressive causes. Such political collaborations often extend far beyond the inauguration itself, with many artists actively participating in campaigns before and after, using their platforms to amplify candidates whose ideals resonate with their own. This ongoing support is not only a passing endorsement but a natural extension of the party’s beliefs.

Patriotism Beyond Politics

When an artist steps onto a stage as politically charged as an inauguration, undoubtedly questions arise about their motivations. Was it an emotional alignment with a specific political party? A calculated move for financial gain? Or perhaps a strategy to capture the spotlight to gain public attention? These speculations often overshadow the performance itself, fueling debates about authenticity versus agenda. However, sometimes the answer is much simpler. For some artists, it’s not about politics, profit, or publicity, rather it’s about patriotism. Representing their country on such a magnified stage can be a profound expression of pride, transcending political gaps to honor the values and ideals that unite a nation. In the end, their performance becomes a testament to their love for their craft and country.

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