Before his first inauguration in 2017, Donald Trump was widely lampooned for failing to attract high-profile entertainment. Held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” featured anemic performances from post-grunge radio mainstays 3 Doors Down, pop-country archetype Toby Keith, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the classical crossover YouTube group known as the Piano Guys.
This time, Trump has managed to secure a hodgepodge of significantly more popular — if not exactly zeitgeist-defining — artists, who will perform at the inauguration today and the three balls (the Liberty Ball, the Starlight Ball and the Commander in Chief Ball), taking place on Monday.
Who is performing at Trump’s inauguration?
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Just before 11 a.m. country singer and saxophonist Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” inside the Capitol Rotunda as the audience waited for the arrival of Donald Trump. The patriotic signature song, which was also performed at the 2017 inauguration, has been a staple at Republican rallies and conventions since Ronald Reagan was president. Last year, Greenwood made headlines when he teamed up with Trump to launch the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which supporters can buy for $59.99.
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Carrie Underwood’s highly anticipated performance at Trump’s inauguration did not exactly go as planned. After being introduced, the Grammy-winning country singer stood in awkward silence caused by technical difficulties as she waited for the musical track to begin. After about a minute, Underwood could be seen mouthing the words “just sing?” before requesting that the audience “help me out here.” She then proceeded to perform the song a cappella without further issue. An eight-time Grammy winner, Underwood, 41, is the highest profile artist slated to perform at Trump’s inauguration. Her decision to perform was met with significant negative reactions from her fans, particularly her LGBTQ+ fans. Underwood has not publicly responded to those criticisms.
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The Village People (yes, the Village People!), the campy disco group known for their goofy lyrics and problematic costumes, performed their hit “Y.M.C.A.” on stage with Trump on Sunday — assless chaps, Native American headdresses and all — and are expected to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday evening. “Y.M.C.A.” has become another staple at Trump rallies — you’ve likely seen the President-elect’s awkward, jerky dance moves, which first went viral during his 2020 election campaign. Since then, the “Trump” dance has been embraced by Trump supporters, frat boys and several pro athletes, including San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa and U.S. men’s soccer team captain Christian Pulisic. Over the decades, the 1978 hit has been embraced by the gay community. However, Victor Willis, the group’s litigious lead singer (and only remaining original member) has insisted the song is not a “gay anthem.” In fact, he recently stated that he will take legal action against anyone who suggests it is.
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Country singer Jason Aldean, whose 2023 hit “Try That in a Small Town” became a MAGA anthem, will also perform at the Liberty Ball, according to Axios. Outside of country music circles, the song became notorious for its music video, which was pulled from rotation on Country Music Television after critics described it as racist and “pro-lynching.”
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St. Louis rapper Nelly, best-known for his 2002 hit “Hot in Herre,” will perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday evening. Nelly was heavily criticized by fans on social media for agreeing to perform. He responded that his decision was not political: “It is an honour for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”
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Ultrapopular trio Rascal Flatts and country singer Parker McCollum are expected to play at the Commander in Chief Ball, which Trump is expected to attend on Monday evening.
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The Starlight Ball will feature a performance by Gavin DeGraw, a pop singer best known for the theme song of the aughts-era teen drama “One Tree Hill.”
Who else performed over inauguration weekend?
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Snoop Dogg appeared at the Inaugural Crypto Ball — an event hosted by crypto executives celebrating Trump’s inauguration — on Friday, where he performed alongside rappers Rick Ross and Soulja Boy.
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The West Coast rapper and G-funk legend, who has had an up-and-down relationship with President Trump, faced backlash for his decision to perform. Fans highlighted the fact that, in 2017, the rapper said he would roast any Black artist that performed at Trump’s first inauguration, calling anyone who did an “Uncle Tom.”
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In addition to the Village People, other performers at Sunday’s “victory rally” included Kid Rock, the country-rock singer and long-time Trump supporter, and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.