Carrie Underwood is stepping into the political arenaâand doing so on one of its largest stages.
The country singer, who has remained mum on her politics, is set to perform the song America the Beautiful at Donald Trumpâs inauguration on Monday, the president-electâs transition team said.
Trump struggled ahead of his 2017 inauguration to find major names to perform, with Elton John, CĂ©line Dion, Andrea Bocelli and Garth Brooks all reportedly declining invitations.
Underwoodâs rendition of America the Beautiful will be accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
The former American Idol contestantâs decision to wade into the political waters shocked her fans, who called for a boycott against the singer.
âNo longer a Carrie Underwood fan,â wrote one user on X.
âSad thing is, I used to love her music and her style, but ever since I found out she was a Trump lover, Carrie Underwood is no longer allowed in this house for even a second,â wrote another.
In 2019, Underwood told the Guardian that she tries to âstay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins.â
âI feel like more people try to pin me places politically,â she said at the time. âEverybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like itâs black and white. And itâs not like that.â
In 2017, the singer received backlash after cracking jokes with Brad Paisley at Trumpâs expense on the Country Music Awards.
In a parody of her hit, âBefore He Cheats,â the two performed lyrics aimed at the then-president.
âAnd itâs fun to watch, yeah, thatâs for sure/âtil little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war ⊠and then maybe next time, heâll think before he tweets.â
In a statement to the Daily Beast, Underwood said she was excited to be part of the inauguration.
âI 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,â she said. âI 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.â
Underwoodâs husband, retired NHL star Mike Fisher, has been more openly political, offering support to NFL star Aaron Rodgers when he came out against COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.
âI stand with Aaron Rodgers,â the former Nashville Predators captain wrote in an Instagram post.