Whoopi Goldberg has defended Carrie Underwood after the singer obtained backlash for agreeing to carry out at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Trump shall be sworn in as President in Washington, DC on January 20 2025, and Grammy-winning Underwood is about to take the stage because the musical visitor. A spokesperson confirmed to Axios that she shall be on the lineup performing ‘America the Lovely’.
“I like our nation and am honored to have been requested to sing on the Inauguration and to be a small a part of this historic occasion,” Underwood mentioned in an announcement Monday, in keeping with the Related Press. “I’m humbled to reply the decision at a time after we should all come collectively within the spirit of unity and seeking to the longer term.”
Underworld has saved her political opinions quiet all through her profession however was nonetheless subjected to criticism on-line for associating with Trump. She additionally didn’t endorse a candidate for the presidential election in November.
Goldberg addressed the scenario on an episode of The View. Though she has been essential of Trump’s insurance policies up to now – and refused to say his title after his election win – she mentioned she wouldn’t criticise Underwood for performing on the inauguration.
“Individuals do what they do for no matter purpose,” she mentioned. “I gotta stand behind that.”
“I stand behind her. If I imagine I’ve the appropriate to make up my thoughts to go carry out some place, I imagine they’ve the identical proper. I’ve to help. It doesn’t imply I’m notably . I gained’t be watching, however that’s simply me.”
Host Sunny Hostin agreed that she wouldn’t be watching the inauguration, saying she scheduled “a spa day” for inauguration day as an alternative.
Alyssa Farrah Griffin voiced her hope that society is shifting previous a degree the place we “cancel folks’s livelihood as a result of we don’t like their politics.”
“You probably have an issue, you register your criticism by not downloading her songs and never going to her reveals,” she mentioned. “However, I additionally suppose from a enterprise standpoint, it’s not a foul choice for Carrie Underwood.”
She additionally acknowledged that whereas many celebrities are usually “left-leaning,” Underwood “will in a single day change into an icon of MAGA and the American proper.”
As well as Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village Individuals, additionally mentioned the band would “take part in inaugural actions” for Trump.
“We all know this gained’t make a few of you cheerful to listen to nonetheless we imagine that music is to be carried out with out regard to politics,” a put up by the group on Fb learn. “Our tune ‘YMCA’ is a worldwide anthem that hopefully helps carry the nation collectively after a tumultuous and divided marketing campaign the place our most popular candidate misplaced.”
In line with the Related Press, different performers billed to look on the inauguration embody Trump-favourites nation singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.
Trump’s 2017 inauguration featured performances from Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and America’s Bought Expertise singer Jackie Evancho. Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 noticed Aretha Franklin carry out, whereas Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson sang at his second inauguration in 2013.
