The president-elect faced difficulty securing prominent artists for his first inauguration, but this time, he’s encountering less resistance. Here’s the reason why.
As Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony nears, it’s becoming more evident that his second presidential term could unfold quite differently from his first.
On Monday, Trump will take the oath of office for his second term as president, marking a stark contrast to the events of January 6, 2021, when his supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
This time, the atmosphere is notably different. The results of the 2024 election were certified without dispute in Congress earlier this month, officially confirming Trump’s second victory. Unlike the widespread resistance eight years ago, there’s far less opposition to Trump’s second term, which is reflected in the guest list for his inauguration.
While former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend, several prominent figures are expected to be present for Trump’s swearing-in.
The most notable among the guests is country singer Carrie Underwood, who confirmed this week that she will perform “America the Beautiful” before Trump takes the oath of office. In a statement to various outlets, the eight-time Grammy winner explained her decision to participate, 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.”
She further expressed, “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and look toward the future.”
Underwood’s participation — and the lack of significant opposition to it — represents a sharp contrast to Trump’s 2017 inauguration, when he faced difficulty securing performers willing to support his contentious presidency, as noted by Vox.
Many people criticized R&B singer Chrisette Michele for performing at Trump’s first inauguration, a move that ultimately harmed her career despite her intention to build a “bridge” in a divided nation. Broadway singer Jennifer Holliday also faced potential career damage but avoided it by pulling out of her scheduled 2017 performance after receiving death threats and boycott warnings.
So far, none of the performers slated for Trump’s 2025 inauguration — including Billy Ray Cyrus, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, the Village People, and reportedly Nelly — have faced similar levels of backlash, and it’s unlikely they will. The political climate has shifted so dramatically over the past year that it seems there’s less stigma now for celebrities who publicly support Trump.
Despite the fear surrounding the most recent election and the numerous stars who took sides in an effort to sway voters, there’s been less visible panic from public figures about what a second Trump administration might mean for the U.S. This shift in attitude may stem from the fact that there are fewer strong negative feelings toward Trump today than there were after the 2016 and 2020 elections. But why exactly is that?
Recent polling from the Pew Research Center found that 53% of American adults approve of Trump’s upcoming plans and policies, a significant increase from his 39% approval rating in a 2017 Pew study. The 2024 survey also showed strong confidence in Trump’s ability to make sound decisions in key areas: economic policy (59%), law enforcement and criminal justice (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%).
Progressives, of course, remain opposed to Trump, particularly following his tumultuous first term, two impeachments, various criminal cases, and controversial Cabinet picks. However, in the wake of a fiercely contentious election year, it appears that just over half of Americans are now willing to embrace the Trump 2.0 wave.
Some observers online have speculated that we may see more celebrities publicly supporting Trump this time, as the perceived risk of facing backlash seems lower than in previous years.
