Country music star Carrie Underwood is set to perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, while the Village People, famous for their 1970s disco hits, will appear at two inaugural events.
Underwood, who rose to fame on American Idol, will perform just before Trump takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, according to an inaugural program shared with The Associated Press.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call during a time when we must come together in unity and look toward the future.”
The Village People, known for iconic songs like “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man,” will perform at one of Trump’s inaugural balls and at a rally in Washington the day before the swearing-in ceremony. Despite some backlash, the group expressed their belief that music transcends politics, writing on Facebook, “Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem, and we hope it helps bring the country together after a divisive campaign. That’s why we are proud to participate in the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
Other performers at the ceremony include country singer Lee Greenwood, who will sing as Trump takes the oath, and opera singer Christopher Macchio, who will perform the National Anthem. The inauguration’s schedule also features a series of events leading up to Jan. 20, including a fireworks display at Trump’s golf club in Sterling, Virginia, a rally in D.C., a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, and several formal dinners.
On the day of the inauguration, Trump’s agenda includes tea at the White House, the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, a congressional luncheon, a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, and three inaugural balls: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball featuring the Village People, and the Starlight Ball for high-dollar donors. The presidential parade will include 7,500 participants, such as first responders, veterans, and school marching bands, including a group from Butler County, Pennsylvania, where Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Incoming First Lady Melania Trump is set to join the Bidens for tea, a gesture missing from their 2021 departure when the Trumps left before Biden’s inauguration.
Trump’s first full day as the 47th president will feature a National Prayer Service, with Franklin Graham and Cardinal Timothy Dolan delivering the invocation.
The weekend will also include unofficial events, such as a Turning Point USA ball and the Legacy of Freedom Ball, which will host rappers Waka Flocka and Fivio Foreign, former NFL player Antonio Brown, and other celebrities.