Whoopi Goldberg defends Carrie Underwood over Trump inauguration performance but says she “won’t be watching”

Whoopi Goldberg has defended Carrie Underwood after the singer received backlash for agreeing to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Trump will be sworn in as President in Washington, DC on January 20 2025, and Grammy-winning Underwood is set to take the stage as the musical guest. A spokesperson confirmed to Axios that she will be on the lineup performing ‘America the Beautiful’.

“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,” Underwood said in a statement Monday, according to the Associated Press. “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.”

Underworld has kept her political views quiet throughout her career but was still subjected to criticism online for associating with Trump. She also didn’t endorse a candidate for the presidential election in November.

Goldberg addressed the situation on an episode of The View. Although she has been critical of Trump’s policies in the past – and refused to say his name after his election win – she said she wouldn’t criticise Underwood for performing at the inauguration.

“People do what they do for whatever reason,” she said. “I gotta stand behind that.”

“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.”

Host Sunny Hostin agreed that she wouldn’t be watching the inauguration, saying she scheduled “a spa day” for inauguration day instead.

Alyssa Farrah Griffin voiced her hope that society is moving past a point where we “cancel people’s livelihood because we don’t like their politics.”

“If you have a problem, you register your complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows,” she said. “But, I also think from a business standpoint, it’s not a bad decision for Carrie Underwood.”

She also acknowledged that while many celebrities tend to be “left-leaning,” Underwood “will overnight become an icon of MAGA and the American right.”

In addition Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People, also said the band would “participate in inaugural activities” for Trump.

“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” a post by the group on Facebook read. “Our song ‘YMCA’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.”

According to the Associated Press, other performers billed to appear at the inauguration include Trump-favourites country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.

Trump’s 2017 inauguration featured performances from Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and America’s Got Talent singer Jackie Evancho. Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 saw Aretha Franklin perform, while Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson sang at his second inauguration in 2013.