Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” at President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration was met with some technical difficulties, forcing the singer to go a capella.
At the end of Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, the 41-year-old country star and American Idol winner was welcomed to the front of the Capitol rotunda.
Taking the stage in front of Kamala Harris, Underwood stood in preparation for the band to start playing. However, seconds after it began, the audio cut out.
After a few awkward moments of silence, Underwood decided to sing the song a cappella. “If you know the words, help me out here,” she told the audience.
She was at least accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club while cameras also showed members of the crowd including Harris and outgoing president Joe Biden joining in with the lyrics.
On Twitter/X, fans praised the singer for her performance under the stressful circumstances.
“Now that is a flex. Imagine being so talented that when technology fails, you just go, ‘Fine, I’ll do it live!’ and crush it a cappella in front of thousands,” one person wrote. “Carrie Underwood doesn’t need auto-tune; auto-tune probably takes notes from her.”
“Perfectly executed,” another praised.
“Carrie Underwood pulled that tech fail off like a champ,” wrote a third.
Others found the moment more comical, with one quipping: “In America, anything is possible…except a functioning sound system.”
Carrie Underwood sings 'America the Beautiful' a cappella after the soundtrack didn't turn on.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025
Perfectly executed. pic.twitter.com/soACoVaRyj
Ahead of the performance, Underwood told The Independent in a statement: “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.
“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.”
The “Before He Cheats” singer, who had previously declined to comment on politics, was met with intense backlash after it was revealed that she was going to perform at Trump’s second inauguration.
The View host Whoopie Goldberg later came to Underwood’s defense, saying: “I stand behind her.
“If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform some place, I believe they have the same right. I have to support. It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested. I won’t be watching, but that’s just me.”
During his inaugural address, Trump promised that he would return “to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success.”
“A tide of change is sweeping the country,” he added.
