Carrie Underwood sings at inauguration: Whoopi Goldberg defends country singer

Country star Carrie Underwood (41) will sing “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s (78) inauguration on January 20th. The singer describes the swearing-in of the next US president as a historic event, but apparently does not see the appearance as a political statement – at least not in favor of the Republican. The actress and presenter Whoopi Goldberg (69) defends Underwood’s decision.

In the past, the singer had tended to stay away from political topics in public. However, many US citizens are likely to see the appearance as a sign of support for Trump. “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,” she explains her decision in a statement, among other things. She humbly follows the call “at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”

Underwood’s fans are divided, Goldberg says in one and explains: “I stand behind her.” If she believes she has the right to perform anywhere, then the singer also has the right. She therefore has to support the 41-year-old on this point. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that she herself will tune in to the broadcast of the inauguration: “I won’t watch.”

The fact that Michelle Obama (60) will not attend Trump’s inauguration also recently made headlines. The office of Barack Obama (63) and the former first lady had confirmed that the ex-president wanted to appear, but that she would stay away. There was no exact explanation for this, but Michelle Obama is not exactly considered a friend of Trump. She is breaking with the tradition of former US presidents and their spouses being present at the inauguration of the new president. Trump himself had already broken with this and, after his election defeat in 2020, did not attend Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony at the beginning of 2021.