Carrie Underwood Comes Out as MAGA?

Carrie Underwood, long admired for her soaring vocals and relatable country hits, is now the focus of a heated political firestorm. The singer, known for her apolitical public persona, has accepted an invitation to perform at Donald Trump’s upcoming presidential inauguration.

Underwood is slated to sing “America the Beautiful” during Monday’s ceremony, accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from fans and political commentators alike.

Social media platforms have been buzzing with passionate responses. On X, one user wrote, “No longer a Carrie Underwood fan,” while another lamented, “Sad 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.”

The backlash reflects a sharp departure from Underwood’s previously neutral stance on political matters. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she remarked, “I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. Everybody tries to pin me places politically, but it’s not black and white.”

Underwood’s history with political satire adds another layer of intrigue. At the 2017 Country Music Awards, she and co-host Brad Paisley poked fun at Trump’s controversial tweeting habits. In a parody of her hit “Before He Cheats,” the duo sang, “And it’s fun to watch, yeah, that’s for sure/‘til little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war … and then maybe next time, he’ll think before he tweets.”

While the moment garnered laughs, it also showcased Underwood’s willingness to engage—albeit lightly—with political discourse.

Responding to the controversy surrounding her performance, Underwood issued a statement to The Daily Beast: “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.”

Her husband, retired NHL star Mike Fisher, has been more overt in his political views. In 2021, Fisher publicly supported NFL player Aaron Rodgers during the COVID-19 vaccine debate, writing on Instagram, “I stand with Aaron Rodgers.”

Underwood’s decision places her among a select group of artists willing to perform for Trump’s inaugurations. Notably, his 2017 event struggled to attract major performers, with Elton John, Céline Dion, Andrea Bocelli, and Garth Brooks reportedly declining invitations. This historical context highlights the polarized nature of celebrity involvement in politics.

As the inauguration approaches, Underwood’s performance is set to be a focal point of conversation—both for its musical significance and its political ramifications. Will her rendition of “America the Beautiful” be remembered as a call for unity or as a polarizing moment in her career? Only time will tell.