Honestly, the lead-up to the 2025 inauguration felt like a high-stakes casting call for a movie that half the country wanted to see and the other half wanted to boycott. You probably remember the 2017 drama—that constant stream of "no thanks" from the Hollywood elite that left the stage a bit thin. This time? Totally different story.
The vibe in D.C. for Donald Trump’s second swearing-in was basically a massive Nashville-to-D.C. pipeline. If you like country music and "Y.M.C.A.," you were in heaven. If not, well, it was a long weekend. But who actually showed up?
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It wasn't just the "usual suspects" you might expect. There were some genuine surprises and a few technical glitches that made for some pretty awkward (and very human) television.
The Swearing-In Ceremony: When the Music Stopped (Literally)
The main event at the Capitol is usually a buttoned-up affair. You expect the Marine Band, a few prayers, and a big-name singer to nail a patriotic classic.
Carrie Underwood was the heavy hitter here. She’s arguably one of the biggest stars the event has seen in decades. She was tapped to sing "America the Beautiful" right after the inaugural address. But here’s the thing: it didn't go exactly to plan.
Usually, there's a lush instrumental backing. For some reason—tech gremlins, maybe?—the music just didn't start. Most singers would have panicked. Instead, Underwood just went for it a cappella. It was raw, a little jarring because of the silence, but she's got the pipes to pull it off. You could tell she was nervous, though. She later said she was "humbled" to be there, but that silence on the world stage? That’s a nightmare for any performer.
Before Underwood took the stage, the classical duties fell to Christopher Macchio. He’s a tenor who’s become a bit of a staple at Republican events. He opened with "O America!" and then tackled the National Anthem later on.
The Veterans of the Stage
It wouldn’t be a Trump event without Lee Greenwood. The man is basically the unofficial soundtrack to the MAGA movement. He performed "God Bless the U.S.A." alongside the United States Marine Band.
Greenwood is 82 now. He’s sang for every president since Reagan, except for the ones he didn't agree with. He was actually very vocal about how much this specific performance meant to him, especially after the assassination attempt on Trump in 2024. He told reporters it felt like more than just a gig—it felt like a "reaffirmation" for the country.
The MAGA Victory Rally: The Night Before
If the Capitol ceremony was the formal dinner, the Sunday night rally at Capital One Arena was the after-party. This is where the energy got a bit more... chaotic.
- Kid Rock: He did exactly what you’d expect. Loud, energetic, and very much leaning into the "Bad Reputation" persona.
- Billy Ray Cyrus: Yeah, the "Achy Breaky Heart" guy. He performed "Old Town Road" and some of his classic country tracks.
- The Village People: This was the surreal moment of the weekend. Victor Willis and the group performed "Y.M.C.A." while the President-elect did his signature dance.
There’s always been this weird tension with the Village People. They’ve gone back and forth on whether they like Trump using their music. But on that Sunday night? They were right there on stage with him. It was a spectacle, to say the least.
The Balls: Glitz, Glam, and a Little Hip Hop?
Once the sun went down on Monday, the focus shifted to the official inaugural balls. This is where the "star-studded" part of the tagline really tried to earn its keep.
Jason Aldean headlined the Liberty Ball. If you remember the controversy around his song "Try That in a Small Town," his presence here makes perfect sense. He’s been a vocal supporter for a while, so he was playing to a very friendly crowd.
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But then there was the Starlight Ball. This one featured Gavin DeGraw. You know, the guy who sang the One Tree Hill theme song? It felt like a bit of a left-turn compared to the heavy country lineup, but it added a bit of early-2000s nostalgia to the mix.
The Surprise Guest
The biggest "wait, really?" moment was the confirmation of Nelly. The "Hot in Herre" rapper was booked for one of the glitzy events. It’s a far cry from the usual patriotic ballads, but the Trump team clearly wanted to show they could pull in mainstream names from different genres this time around.
Rascal Flatts also came out of their sort-of-retirement to play the Commander-in-Chief Ball, which is traditionally for military service members and their families. Parker McCollum joined them, keeping that country vibe strong through the night.
Why This Lineup Actually Mattered
Look, people argue about these performers every four years. In 2021, Biden had Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. In 2017, Trump had Jackie Evancho and 3 Doors Down.
The 2025 lineup was a calculated move. By booking Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean, the inaugural committee wasn't just getting "performers"—they were getting the biggest stars in the biggest genre in Middle America. It was a show of strength. They wanted to prove that the "Hollywood boycott" of 2017 was over, or at least that they didn't need Hollywood as long as they had Nashville.
A Quick Breakdown of the Schedule
- Sunday, Jan 19 (MAGA Victory Rally): Kid Rock, Village People, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood.
- Monday, Jan 20 (Swearing-In): Carrie Underwood (A Cappella), Christopher Macchio, Lee Greenwood, Marine Band.
- Monday Night (The Balls): Jason Aldean, Nelly, Rascal Flatts, Gavin DeGraw, Parker McCollum.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think these artists get paid millions for these gigs. Kinda isn't true. Most of the time, the big stars do it for the exposure or because they genuinely support the candidate. The inaugural committee usually covers travel and production costs, but the "performance fee" is often non-existent or donated.
Also, there was a rumor floating around that Snoop Dogg might show up because he’d made some positive comments about Trump recently. He did perform at a "crypto ball" in D.C. that weekend, but he wasn't part of the official inaugural festivities. Fans were pretty split on that one.
What to Do Now
If you’re looking to relive the music or see how the performances went down:
- Check the archives: NBC and Fox News both have the full video of Underwood’s a cappella "America the Beautiful." It’s worth a watch just to see how she handled the silence.
- Look for the "unoffical" sets: A lot of the best footage from the Kid Rock and Village People sets came from people's phones in the front row, not the official broadcast.
- Follow the fallout: Keep an eye on the social media of the artists who performed. The "inauguration curse" (where artists get boycotted after performing) is still a very real thing in 2026, and it's interesting to see who’s thriving and who’s catching heat.
Next, you might want to look into the official setlists from the Liberty Ball to see which songs the artists chose to represent the "Golden Age" of the new administration.