Carrie Underwood Under Fire from ‘Woke Mob’ on Left for Daring to Perform at Donald Trump’s Inauguration

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They want her to undo it, but Carrie Underwood is standing by her decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. The multi-platinum country music star accepted an invitation to sing “America the Beautiful” at the swearing-in ceremony, and the left is none too happy about it.

On Thursday’s show, Megyn was joined by political commentators Amala Ekpunobi and Link Lauren to discuss what Underwood is saying about the performance and the backlash she has received.

The Controversy

The news broke on Monday that Underwood is set to perform shortly before Trump takes the oath of office in front of the U.S. Capitol on Monday after a copy of the inaugural program was made public.

It did not take long for the critics to come calling, but the American Idol winner defended her decision. “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,” she said in a statement. “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.”

Underwood has never been one to talk politics and she has not explicitly supported Trump. But that hasn’t stopped factions of her fanbase, particularly members of the LGBTQ community, from voicing their displeasure.

On The View, co-hosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin said Underwood should have turned down the invite, but the Grammy winner received surprising support from Whoopi Goldberg. “If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe they have the same right,” she said on Tuesday. “I have to support.”

Playing Politics

Megyn praised Underwood for understanding the significance of the day. “The inauguration is not just for core MAGA. It is for all of America,” she said. “We don’t know what her politics are when it comes to Trump… [but] why wouldn’t she take this amazing performative opportunity on behalf of the country to try to unify some?”

As Ekpunobi explained, the reaction to Underwood’s appearance reflects the state of political polarization today. “She hasn’t come out and given any statement about her politics or how she feels about the 2024 election, so let her be her and let her love this country,” she noted. “We used to be under the umbrella of a shared love for country with differences in politics, but now it’s: If you love your country, if you want to represent America, you’re a white supremacist MAGA supporter.”

Lauren said that mindset is especially pervasive in the entertainment industry. “This is what happens with… this woke mob on the left. They preach about diversity all the time, but not diversity of thought,” he explained. “God forbid you go and perform at a Republican’s inauguration. You’re suddenly persona non grata.”

He believes that “woke mob” is in for a rude awakening. “I hate to tell you, but Trump just won – in a historic landslide – the popular vote, the House, the Senate, the Electoral College,” he concluded. “Carrie Underwood should 100 percent be there and the fans she might lose on the left, I am sure she is going to gain on the right. And she is going to sound amazing doing it.”

You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Ekpunobi and Lauren by tuning in to episode 984 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.