politics
Page: 5
The show must go on! Carrie Underwood proved why she’s a country superstar during Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on Monday (Jan. 20).
After an awkward two-minute technical glitch, the 41-year-old American Idol alum took control of the situation, singing “America the Beautiful” a cappella at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., just as Trump was being sworn in as the 47th president.
“You know the words, help me out here,” Underwood told the crowd before delivering the patriotic anthem solo.
An earlier program indicated Underwood was scheduled to perform with the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, with her performance originally slated just before Trump’s swearing-in.
Trending on Billboard
The country star’s fans quickly took notice of her professionalism and praised her stunning solo rendition on social media.
“Now that is a flex. Imagine being so talented that when technology fails, you just go, ‘Fine, I’ll do it live!’ and crush it a cappella in front of thousands,” one user on X observed. “Carrie Underwood doesn’t need auto-tune; auto-tune probably takes notes from her.”
Another wrote, “Carrie Underwood don’t need no band! That was bada–!”
“This is what a professional looks like,” a third commenter noted on X. “With grace, when the military band audio failed, she sang her song with the audience. All American and perfect.”
Before the event, Underwood shared a statement expressing her gratitude and pride: “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.”
Underwood joined a roster of performers at the inauguration, including Lee Greenwood, the Village People, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Aldean and Parker McCollum.
Carrie Underwood was among the performers during the presidential inauguration ceremony held for Donald Trump, which took place at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday (Jan. 20).
The country superstar’s performance took place after Trump took the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States and made his inauguration speech, beginning his second presidential term.
Technical difficulties delayed Underwood’s performance, causing the singer to stand for two minutes near the podium prior to her performance. An early program showed that Underwood had been slated to perform with the The Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, and that she had initially been set to perform just prior to Trump’s swearing-in.
Trending on Billboard
Instead, Underwood — clad in a pale-colored dress — performed a rendition of “America the Beautiful” a cappella. “If you know the words help me out here,” the singer said before her performance, with the audience joining in to sing with her.
Prior to her performance, Underwood released a statement regarding her performance, saying, “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.”
Underwood joins a slate of performers who are taking part in presidential inauguration events, including Lee Greenwood, the Village People, Nelly, Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Aldean and Parker McCollum.
News of Underwood’s performance at Trump’s inauguration ceremony was met with both praise and criticism, with LGBTQ+ fans expressing anger and disappointment with the country singer’s decision to perform during the event. Underwood had previously spoken out in support of same-sex marriage in 2012, prior to same-sex marriage being legalized in 2015. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have expressed disapproval with the singer for performing at the event, given that Trump has campaigned for restrictions on trans and queer rights in the United States.
Underwood recently revealed the trailer for her upcoming concert special Carrie Underwood: Reflection, which spotlights her long-running Las Vegas residency. The concert special debuts Friday (Jan. 24), on Disney+ and Hulu. She is set to conclude her Las Vegas run on April 12. Her most recent country album, 2022’s Denim & Rhinestones, reached No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart and became her 10th consecutive album to reach the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
See Underwood’s performance here.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday (Jan. 20) and the spectacle of the inauguration has concluded with many in the media offering their observations On X, President Donald Trump’s rambling and sometimes unfocused acceptance speech was dissected at great lengths with some pointing out the fallacies and falsehoods spewed from the pulpit.
President Donald Trump spoke at length from inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, using the moment to essentially echo many of his campaign talking points to raucous applause from his subordinates and supporters. It was more of the same tough talk and bluster most have come to expect, and there were soft lobs toward Black and Hispanic communities coupled with promises of cleaning up the crime in cities across the nation.
Trump also promised to tap into natural resources on the domestic level despite the threat to the climate it poses and wants to transform America into a manufacturing giant once more. He also made appeals to the auto industry and directed domestic companies to ramp up production. There were also the long-existing threats of tariffs against other nations and the promise of eliminating the cost to American citizens.
In a bizarre moment, Trump went back to his desire to rename the Panama Canal and said that the country “broke its promises” to America. He also used this moment to take a direct swipe at China, saying that he intends to snatch the canal back from the rival superpower.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell’s passionate prayer in support of Trump also garnered some responses given the dramatic histrionics on display and the religious leader evoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Free At Last” speech inappropriately. It was, in a word, “something.”
Like much of Trump’s presidential campaign, the unchecked bravado of the former business mogul was on full display with a full-throated embrace from those in attendance who applauded nearly every word. However, how these plans are expected to move forward was not illustrated in any visible detail. Trump also circled and repeated his points, appearing to speak off script and barely spoke to the concerns of average Americans and largely aimed his words at his rabid base. There was also an unnecessary jab at the LBGTBQ community, in particular regarding gender presentation.
On X, users are chiming in regarding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and dissecting his words and a higher level than legacy media would ever dare. Check out those reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
10.
Donald Trump showcased his signature dance moves during a high-energy pre-inauguration rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday (Jan. 19).
The 78-year-old businessman-turned-politician, who was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Monday, celebrated his victory over Kamala Harris at D.C.’s Capital One Arena. The event featured performances by Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood and the Village People.
As the rally wrapped up, Trump danced and clapped along to the Village People’s 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.,” a song frequently played at his campaign rallies. Smiling, he stood behind the group, delivering his trademark moves while the crowd cheered.
In the days leading up to the event, the Village People announced on Facebook that they had “accepted an invitation from President Elect Trump’s campaign to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump.” The group added, “We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics. Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.”
Trending on Billboard
Trump had previously featured the Village People’s “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.” at his 2020 and 2024 rallies.
In December, Village People’s Victor Willis explained why he ultimately allowed Trump to continue playing “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies and events. Despite initially asking him to stop in 2020, Willis said he “didn’t have the heart” to block its use after realizing the politician “genuinely liked” the song and was “having a lot of fun” with it. Willis also noted that the track has seen a significant boost in chart positions and sales since Trump began using it during his campaign.
Sunday’s rally opened with a performance from Kid Rock, a longtime Trump supporter, before supporters like actor Jon Voight and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, among others, took the stage to offer congratulations.
“We won. We won,” Trump told the excited crowd. “I’m thrilled to be back with so many friends, supporters, and true American patriots on the eve of taking back our country. That’s what we’re going to do. Take back our country.”
He added, “Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride.”
Nelly will be performing at president-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday (Jan. 20), an inside source has confirmed to Billboard.
The 50-year-old “Hot in Herre” rapper joins a lineup of previously announced inauguration performers that includes Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Village People, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum, Lee Greenwood and Gavin DeGraw.
In an interview on Willie D Live, posted to YouTube on Saturday (Jan. 18), Nelly explained the reasons behind his decision to perform. He said in part, “I apologize. I didn’t know that I had to agree with your political choices, and I thought it was the things that you do not the things that you say should be done if you follow what I do. This shouldn’t even be an argument. He’s the president. He won. This isn’t a campaign. This isn’t the RNC. I’m not on the political campaign.”
Nelly went on to add, “I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office, the same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoever’s in office. So if they can put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever … Nobody’s allowed to change, right? … If my past was once going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here. I’m not saying that that he ain’t got some fucked up ways. That’s not what I’m saying at all. That’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for. But what I’m saying is that he’s the president of the United States…”
Trending on Billboard
During the interview, Nelly also addressed whether he was invited to participate in the Kamala Harris campaign. The rapper said he wasn’t invited, noting, “I didn’t get none of that 1.5 to try to help somebody get voted.”
Nelly isn’t the only rapper to participate in Trump’s inauguration festivities. Earlier this weekend, it was widely reported that Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performed at the president-elect’s Crypto Ball pre-inaugural soiree in Washington, D.C., at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on Friday (Jan. 17).
Snoop and his fellow rappers faced backlash for their performance at the event. In the comments section of a video from the show shared on the Shade Room’s Instagram, users criticized the artists for their participation. “This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful as hell,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Not a check in the world is worth selling my soul to the Devil…”
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon also covered the performance during his livestream, Lemon LIVE at 5, questioning whether Snoop and the artists were “sellouts” or “grifters who only care about a dollar.”
Snoop hadn’t publicly addressed the backlash at press time, but he did share an Instagram Story featuring himself and Ross at the event.
Ethel Cain‘s posts about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson have sparked outrage from a panel of Fox News hosts, who likened her words to “terrorism” and are calling on fans to “boycott” the singer.
On a recent episode of the network’s The Big Weekend Show, panelists Jason Chaffetz, Jackie DeAngelis, Anita Vogel and Guy Benson opened a segment about the “American Teenager” singer’s comments by summarizing what she wrote on Instagram Stories Jan. 10. In addition to using the hashtag “#KillMoreCEOs,” Cain had said that peaceful protesting is no longer enough to solve corporate greed in the United States and posited, “It’s simple, you make them fear for their lives and hit them in the only place they hurt or nothing will ever get done.”
But the 26-year-old musician’s words were several steps too far for the Fox commentators, with Benson calling her message “sick” and “depraved.” “The message there is violence is the answer,” he continued. “You know who used that exact same mentality, that type of language? Terrorists. That is actual terrorism, what she’s talking about here … This should be a very clear black-and-white moral issue, and it is scary to see how much support that type of sentiment has gotten.”
“It’s absurd, it’s gross,” agreed Vogel, who then brought up how Meta previously banned Donald Trump from its platforms following the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. “Are they going to remove this woman for calling for murder?”
“People need to boycott her,” added DeAngelis, with Chaffetz saying, “I hope people call her out for this.”
Billboard has reached out to Cain’s reps for comment.
The “Crush” artist’s posts — and Fox News’ response — are part of a broader discussion that’s played out since Thompson was shot and killed on a New York City street. Suspect Luigi Mangione was taken into custody shortly afterward and is now facing state murder and terror charges, to which he’s pleaded not guilty. He’s also facing federal murder and stalking charges; if convicted on the murder charge, he could face a death sentence.
In addition to her incendiary hashtag Jan. 10, Cain had also shared a post quoting former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich’s assessment that institutions such as the NRA, Big Oil and insurance companies contribute to corruption in Congress. In Reich’s words: “Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.”
“I genuinely mean what I say. Corporations giggle at protesting,” Cain had added at the time. “Why would anyone ever willingly come down off their throne that they’ve spent years building off the suffering of their fellow man? … It seems quite straightforward to me. ‘Violence is never the answer’ wrong. Sometimes it is.”
Two days prior, Cain released her highly anticipated album Perverts. It followed 2022’s Preacher’s Daughter.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Joe Biden will be vacating the White House after serving four years along with his decades of public service, some of which has garnered its fair share of criticism. In his outgoing address, President Joe Biden warned of an oligarchy taking form in Washington and framed the changing landscape of content moderation in social media as a danger to democracy.
In the 17-minute farewell address, President Joe Biden was stern in his delivery as he thanked the American people before taking aim at the formation of what Biden feels is an influential core of Big Tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk inserting themselves in opposition of democracy.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said.
President Biden didn’t explicitly name Zuckerberg or Musk by name but it is little secret that the pair’s recently affirmed proximity to President-elect Donald Trump is questionable considering the influence the pair wield in both wealth and across social media. Further, Meta, helmed by Zuckerberg, is adopting a new policy that does away with content moderation and instead will adopt the community notes feature from X.
Further in the address, Biden suggested that Supreme Court justices serve an 18-year term limit instead of the lifetime appointments of today. He also made slight mention of Trump’s 34-county felony convictions although he won’t face any time.
President Joe Biden’s farewell address can be viewed below.
—
Photo: Getty
More performers have been confirmed for Donald Trump‘s fast-approaching inauguration ceremony, including Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and more, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.
The publications reported Wednesday (Jan. 15) that the two musicians — both of whom have been outspoken in their support of the president elect throughout his political career — will join a lineup of performances spread out across inauguration weekend Jan. 18-20, which will also see Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, Parker McCollum and Gavin DeGraw taking the stage at different points. Previously confirmed performers include Carrie Underwood, the Rascal Flatts and Village People.
According to THR, Kid Rock, the “Achy Breaky Heart” country star, Greenwood and the “Y.M.C.A” group will be among the first acts to perform this weekend, with all four marked down for the Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., Sunday (Jan. 19). Liberty University’s Praise Choir is also scheduled for the event, at which Trump is expected to deliver remarks.
The following day will see the twice-impeached mogul-turned-politician officially stepping back into power at his swearing-in ceremony at the United States Capitol, where the “Before He Cheats” vocalist will perform “America the Beautiful.” The national anthem will be performed by opera singer Christopher Macchio, while Greenwood will return to perform his rendition of “God Bless the USA.”
Later on Monday (Jan. 20), Rascal Flatts will perform at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, as will McCollum. Aldean and Village People — as well as a “suprise musical guest,” per THR — are slated for the Liberty Inaugural Ball on the same day, while DeGraw is booked for that evening’s Starlight Ball.
The weekend’s festivities will close out Tuesday (Jan. 21) with a National Prayer Service.
Trump’s first presidential inauguration in 2017 featured performances from America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho and the Radio City Rockettes. Four years later, Jennifer Lopez sang “America the Beautiful” and “This Land Is Your Land” at President Joe Biden’s 2021 swearing-in ceremony.
As the performers for 2025’s ceremony have been confirmed over the past week, a few of them have felt the need to explain their decisions to contribute their talents to the celebration for Trump, who in May was convicted of 34 felonies in his hush money case. “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,” Underwood said in a statement Jan. 13. “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.”
In their performance announcement the same day, the Village People members wrote, “We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” the group added at the time. “Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: JIM WATSON / Getty / Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama wants no part of the sh*t show, aka Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, and social media doesn’t blame her for saying nah to the moment.
Spotted on Raw Story, Michelle Obama will not be joining her husband, Barack Obama, at the Trump inauguration, her office announced without giving a reason.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama announced that “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
The announcement sparked immediate reactions from both sides. Those who supported our Forever First Lady applauded her on social media for not being in attendance.
Many brought up the apparent tension between Obama and Donald Trump, who said violent things about Ms. Obama during the 2024 presidential campaign.
“Michelle Obama is doing the right thing! In 2025.. who cares about the optics. Standing on principles should be commended. The people concerned about her not attending should be more critical and laser focused on the incoming felon assuming the presidency,” one post on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
“I love Michelle Obama forever,” MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid proudly said on BlueSky.
Singer Ricky Davila said on X, “Forever First Lady Michelle Obama will be skipping the dictator coronation on January 20th. Good, she seems to be the only one who clearly understands the assignment.”
X Reminds MAGA Folks Mad At Michelle Obama That Donald Trump Skipped Biden’s Inauguration
Those on the right are BIG MAD that Ms. Obama isn’t going to Trump’s inauguration, but they were quickly reminded that Orange Mussolini didn’t even bother to show up to President Biden’s because he was so bitter America fired him in 2020.
trump skipped biden inauguration why we flipping out that michelle obama doing the same.. pic.twitter.com/dJJXLK8ejt
— maniyah renae (@crzy4kamala) January 14, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Welp.
We understand if you won’t be tuning in to see Trump lie as he takes the oath of office.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Michelle Obama’s energy is what we’re on for the next 4 years
2. Required watching
3. Black women are fed up
5. EXACTLY
10. NO SIR
Donald Trump will officially be re-inaugurated as President on Jan. 20, and Rascal Flatts have joined the list of performers during inauguration weekend. The country group will be performing at the Commander in Chief Ball, where active duty military members will be attending, a source confirms to Billboard. Trump is scheduled to attend and speak […]