Whoopi Goldberg defends Carrie Underwood’s right to sing at Trump inauguration but admits she won’t watch

WASHINGTON, DC: Whoopi Goldberg took a moment on 'The View' to support Carrie Underwood amid backlash over the country star’s decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Monday.

Goldberg, an outspoken critic of Trump, defended Underwood’s right to perform while clarifying that she herself would not be watching, reported Entertainment Weekly.

Whoopi Goldberg defends Carrie Underwood’s right to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration

Whoopi Goldberg remarked on the January 14, Tuesday, episode of 'The View', "People do what they do for whatever reason," and then referred to how MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski met with Donald Trump in Mar-a-Logo in November after he won the election. “I gotta stand behind that," said 'The View' co-host.

About Underwood deciding to perform at Trump's inauguration, Goldberg said, “I stand behind her. If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform some place, I believe (she has) 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.”

“I think art is art and you have a right to perform where you want to perform,” said Sunny Hostin, Goldberg’s co-host on 'The View'. Hostin also followed Goldberg’s sentiments but shared that she personally wouldn’t be watching Underwood or the inauguration, opting instead to spend the day at the spa.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served as White House Communications Director under Trump's presidency but later voted for Kamala Harris, criticized the cancel culture, saying, “If you have a problem, you register your complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows. But, I also think from a business standpoint, it's not a bad decision for Carrie Underwood." 

Griffin noted that Underwood’s performance might align her with MAGA supporters, and she is “overnight going to become an icon of MAGA and the American right" and is likely going to make "a lot of money", potentially boosting her profile and earnings.

Carrie Underwood to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at Donald Trump's inauguration

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood has been announced as a featured performer at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20.

Underwood will sing 'America the Beautiful' immediately before Trump takes the oath of office. Her participation was confirmed on January 13 by both her representatives and the Trump-Vance inaugural committee.

In a statement, Underwood expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, “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," she added.

Underwood’s performance will be accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. The inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr Day, adding additional significance to the occasion.

The announcement marks a departure from Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, where high-profile performers were notably absent. At the time, the most prominent artist to participate was 'America’s Got Talent' runner-up Jackie Evancho.

Also slated to perform at the ceremony is classical crossover singer Christopher D Macchio, who will present an unnamed musical selection before Senator JD Vance is sworn in as vice president.