WASHINGTON — Country music star Carrie Underwood will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, a spokesperson for the inaugural committee has confirmed.
It’s a sign that Trump’s second inauguration could draw an even bigger crowd than his first oath eight years ago.
Underwood, whose career began after winning “American Idol” in 2005, is scheduled to perform “America the Beautiful” before President Trump takes the oath of office on January 20. The Army Choir and the Naval Academy Glee Club will accompany her.
Opera singer Christopher Macchio will sing the national anthem.
Before taking office in 2017, Trump held a concert at the Lincoln Memorial that included performances by Toby Keith, Three Doors Down and Lee Greenwood. Former “America’s Got Talent” contestant Jackie Evancho sang the national anthem during the swearing-in ceremony.
Trump’s inaugural festivities will begin Saturday at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, about an hour from Washington, his inaugural committee announced Monday.
On Sunday, President Trump will visit Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia before holding a rally with supporters at Capitol One Arena in Washington. A candlelight dinner is planned for later in the evening.
The inauguration ceremony will include a prayer service at the White House and a tea party with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden before Trump takes office. There will also be a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and three inaugural balls.
Village People, whose YMCA has become a staple of President Trump’s events, posted on Facebook on Monday that it had accepted an invitation to appear at “inauguration activities, including at least one event with President-elect Trump.”