Celebrity musicians and entertainers performing at presidential inaugurations, and the festivities surrounding these major events, is nothing new. Back in 1977, when Jimmy Carter became president, Aretha Franklin and Linda Ronstadt took the stage. Acts including Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Elton John, and Barbra Streisand sang for Bill Clinton in 1993. Barack Obama had Beyonce at both inaugurations, while Bruce Springsteen and Shakira performed in 2009, and Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys performed in 2013. Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks all sang when Joe Biden was sworn in in 2021. Even George W. Bush had Ricky Martin and Destiny's Child in 2001.
So it only seems natural that celebrities could sing at a Donald Trump inauguration, and everyone will accept this and appreciate that these guys and girls are simply doing their patriotic duty, right?
Not so fast. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see so many A-listers perform for the Trump inauguration events last weekend. I mean, in 2017, I think the biggest name he had on board was country music singer Toby Keith, who has sadly since passed away from cancer. And he already had a pretty hardline conservative audience.
Carrie Underwood is arguably one of the biggest stars in both pop and country music from the last couple of decades, and she sang "America the Beautiful" at the swearing-in ceremony. The Village People, who are considered gay icons, performed at Trump's "Victory Rally" on Sunday. Rapper Nelly performed at the Liberty Ball, while 90s pop singer Jewel performed at Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Ball. I'm not sure they're still considered A-listers, but both were icons in their heydays, and major parts of the pop culture soundtrack for us millennials who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s. And Snoop Dogg himself performed at the weekend's Crypto Ball.
But I can't tell you how many headlines I've seen about how these people have felt the need to justify their decisions or even apologize in some cases — headlines I've rarely seen the likes of in the past. The double standard is ridiculous. A lot of people like to call Trump a bully, but the fact is that the liberal media and the far-left voters who buy into its nonsense are the biggest bullies of all.
As I wrote last week, Underwood was hounded relentlessly by liberal fans and the media when it was announced that she would perform. She released the following statement in response: "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."
Carrie Underwood on performing at Donald J. Trump's upcoming inauguration: “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… pic.twitter.com/49SBLeFgKT
— Variety (@Variety) January 13, 2025
During a YouTube livestream, Nelly had to reassure fans that performing for someone doesn't mean you're endorsing them. "It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office. If President Biden would have asked me to perform, I would have performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris would have won and asked me to perform, I would have performed," the rapper said, adding that he wasn't doing it for the money.
Jewel had to take to Instagram to explain herself and apologize to any fans she upset. In her video, she told viewers that she was a big advocate for mental health and hoped she could work with RFK, who is slated to be Trump's secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, on improving mental health in the United States, something she said affects all people, no matter which party they vote for.
She admitted that she doesn't necessarily agree on "all the politics," but said, "If I wait to try until I agree 100% with the people that might be willing to help me, I’d never get off the bench. I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything’s perfect enough to participate." She added, "If I can help shape policy, make sure mental health is in the conversation… If I can help put resources or mental health tools into the hands of the most vulnerable who need it, I’m going to try and I’m going to fight." She also apologized to any of her LGBTetc. fans who may be upset with her decision. Even so, her comments section is brutal.
The Village People also took to social media, posting several messages on their Facebook account about the decision. "If anyone out there thinks that VILLAGE PEOPLE will not do the biggest performance of VILLAGE PEOPLE careers, EVER, for political reasons, think again," one post read, adding, "VILLAGE PEOPLE will perform for both Democrats and Republicans. We are not a political group. Never has been, never will be no matter how hard some of you out there are trying very hard to make us such. We perform without regard to politics. And Village People will not take on one group's political issues."
You get the idea. I don't recall Beyonce apologizing for performing for Obama or Lady Gaga explaining why she chose to perform for Biden. And who even cares why they did it? Maybe they need the money. Maybe they need the exposure. Maybe they are Trump supporters. Maybe they are just trying to bring the country together or see it as their patriotic duty.
Regardless of the reason, the apologizes and explanations are exhausting. And I'm not sure who is to more to blame. On one hand, it was nice to see people whom I'm a fan of get up and support the president who I voted for, for once. On the other, I want to tell them to grow a backbone. But I also recognize their need to earn a living and sell albums, and I realize just how nasty and unfair the liberal media is to conservatives and anyone who supported Trump. Unfortunately, far too many people still believe the lies.
My real hope is that Trump will keep up all of this bada** winning from his first week in office, and those obnoxious voices on the left who like to demonize people for simply voting or performing for their preferred candidate will become few and far between, eventually drifting into obscurity. Hey, a girl can dream.
