Carrie Underwood has never been one to shy away from making bold moves in her career, and her decision to perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s second inauguration is proving no exception. With fans divided over her involvement, the country superstar appears to be taking the backlash in stride, staying focused on the bigger picture—her love for America and the unifying power of music.
Sources close to the singer have revealed that Underwood, 41, is “very proud” of the opportunity and isn’t letting the controversy faze her. As one insider told DailyMail.com, “She understands the backlash, but she also doesn’t care.”
For Underwood, this isn’t about politics or partisanship—it’s about honoring the country that launched her into superstardom after her win on American Idol in 2005. “She is doing this for America, not specifically for Trump,” the source emphasized.
Underwood’s decision comes at a pivotal moment in her career. Alongside her inaugural performance, she’s embarking on a new chapter as a judge on the show that first made her a household name.
According to insiders, the Idol team is fully behind her, with no plans to stir up drama over her decision. “They are excited that she is going to be their new judge and are looking forward to America falling in love with her all over again,” one source explained.
In a statement about her upcoming performance, Underwood echoed her desire to bring people together, saying, “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.”
Yet, her decision has not come without criticism. Social media users were quick to dredge up moments from Underwood’s past, including a 2017 CMA Awards skit with co-host Brad Paisley, in which they gently mocked then-President Trump. Despite the humorous jab, Underwood has always avoided aligning herself too closely with politics.
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she noted, “I like to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins.” Her stance reflects a careful balance, one she seems determined to maintain even in the highly charged political climate surrounding her latest performance.
For Underwood, the focus remains on the music. Performing alongside the Armed Forces Chorus and the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club, she hopes to bring a moment of unity and pride to a nation still grappling with division. As one source put it, “She wants to unite the country, and music is her way to do that. She is looking broader than any controversies that have come up and will come up.”