Carrie Underwood perfectly pivoted and Christopher Macchio roared during his performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday afternoon.
The country superstar paused for a moment to wait for musical accompaniment before singing “America the Beautiful.” After technical problems intervened, veteran performer Underwood simply began performing the song a cappella.
Shortly after Underwood’s smooth rendition, classical-crossover opera singer Christopher Macchio, a longtime friend of President Trump, uncorked a sonorous version of the national anthem.
The ceremony, which was moved indoors to avoid the severe cold in the Washington area, also featured Lee Greenwood, who sang the familiar national anthem, “God Bless the USA,” before opening. Ms. Greenwood also performed at Mr. Trump’s victory rally Sunday night at nearby Capital One Arena, where she sang the song.
Below are some highlights.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Carrie Underwood sings a cappella with audible notes
Mr. Underwood marked the new administration of Donald J. Trump as his first appearance following a 30-minute inaugural address.
Standing in front of former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Underwood turned and sang “America the Beautiful” a cappella after a technical problem with the background music.
In contrast to her usual glamorous and glittery looks, Underwood, wearing a modest white dress with sleeveless drapes, performed the song flawlessly, reaching for the big note with her left hand. , many people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda were singing together.
“Great job,” Biden said as Underwood shook his hand at the end of the performance, before shaking hands with Trump and new Vice President J.D. Vance.
Underwood’s version was in contrast to Jennifer Lopez’s version at President Biden’s 2021 inauguration, where Jennifer Lopez sang a mix of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful,” before singing in Spain. He recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Japanese and sang some of his hit songs. “Let’s Get Loud” is a song from the 1999 debut album “On the 6.”
National anthem singer Christopher Macchio easily wins belt
Opera, President Trump’s favorite opera singer, sang the national anthem in a grand manner at the end of the inauguration.
Wearing a midnight blue velvet jacket, dark pants and a white shirt with no tie, Macchio wore an “Star-Spangled Banner” belt and held a microphone in his left hand as many people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda held a heart shape. He either held his hand over his head or stood there to look like President Trump. , in a respectful posture.
Macchio effortlessly navigated the famous song’s tricky parts, his voice booming over the instrumentals and his eyes narrowing midway through the song’s final notes.
After the performance, Mr. Macchio immediately turned to Mr. Trump, smiled, shook his hand, raised his fist, and exited the presidential podium area.
Lee Greenwood performs “God Bless the USA” in the Rotunda
Prior to the start of the inauguration, the country-folk singer performed a rendition of “God Bless The USA.”
Mr. Greenwood, wearing a navy plaid suit and tie, waved the familiar flag and sang the national anthem as political dignitaries began filing into the Capitol Rotunda.
Mr. Greenwood’s relationship with Mr. Trump grew stronger after the current president began using the 1983 song, which the 82-year-old wrote in 30 minutes in the back of his tour bus, at his rallies.
But Mr. Greenwood’s relationship with Mr. Trump stems from his relationship with Mr. Greenwood’s wife, Kimberly, who was executive director of the Miss Tennessee USA pageant in the 1990s, when Mr. Trump co-owned the Miss Universe organization. is emitting. Greenwood and Trump have been friends over the years, and Greenwood performed the national anthem at Trump’s 2017 inauguration.
A lifelong Republican, Greenwood is originally from California but has roots in Franklin, Tennessee, and has sung at six Republican National Conventions. This is his third time attending the inauguration ceremony. Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA” at President George H.W. Bush’s swearing-in ceremony in 1989, along with a performance for President Trump in 2017.