When Carrie Underwood finished singing “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday (Jan. 20), she went to shake hands with the new president and he pulled her in close. At first glance it appeared he had something to say to the singer.

Carrie Underwood performed "America the Beautiful" at Donald Trump's 2025 presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.

Country singer Lee Greenwood is set to perform as as Trump walks out to take the oath of office, according to Trump’s inaugural committee. Greenwood’s biggest hit, the patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.,” has been a mainstay at the president’s campaign rallies. Greenwood also performed as part of Trump’s inauguration festivities in 2017.

Carrie Underwood sidestepped the technical issues at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony and performed “America the Beautiful” A cappella.

Trump was sworn in for a second time, assuming his role as the 47th president of the United States amid pomp and circumstance. But no inauguration day is without its surprises, and no program of events - no matter how meticulously planned - can account for the weird,

Many people are calling out one specific moment during Carrie Underwood's time on stage at the 2025 inauguration.

It’s the most excruciating kind of awkward moment, and it’s exactly what happened to Carrie Underwood as she walked into the Capitol Rotunda this afternoon to sing America the Beautiful during President Trump’s inauguration.