People take their seats in rotunda ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on January 20. Reuters
People take their seats in rotunda ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on January 20. Reuters
People take their seats in rotunda ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on January 20. Reuters
People take their seats in rotunda ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on January 20. Reuters

Carrie Underwood among artists performing at Trump inauguration


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration

Presidential inaugurations in Washington often feature celebrities who turn out to mark the occasion, including musicians who perform during the events.

The National takes a look at who is performing at the inauguration and other events in Washington.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve. Reuters
Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve. Reuters

Country music star Carrie Underwood will perform America the Beautiful at Mr Trump's inauguration at the US Capitol.

Underwood, who launched her career on American Idol, is to perform shortly before Mr Trump takes the oath of office on January 20.

“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “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.”

Christopher Macchio

Donald Trump and Melania Trump listen to opera singer Christopher Macchio at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in October. AP
Donald Trump and Melania Trump listen to opera singer Christopher Macchio at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in October. AP

Classical singer and opera tenor Macchio will be performing the national anthem before the vice presidential oath of office for JD Vance.

He has sung at previous Trump campaign rallies. Macchio is Mr Trump's choice to perform at the end of the programme.

Lee Greenwood

Donald Trump with Lee Greenwood at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in October. AP
Donald Trump with Lee Greenwood at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in October. AP

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood will sing as part of the ceremony, when Mr Trump walks up to take the oath, the Trump-Vance inauguration committee said.

“The pageantry is wonderful. I’m excited about all of that,” Greenwood told The AP. “I’m excited to sing yet again for President of the United States, and particularly my friend Donald J Trump.”


At the 'Maga Victory' rally

Kid Rock, a long-time Trump supporter, and Billy Ray Cyrus, joined Greenwood and Village People at the Make America Great Again Rally at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington on Sunday, along with a choir from Liberty University.

“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,” Village People said in a post on their Facebook page.

“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost. Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J Trump.”

At the Liberty Ball

Country singer Jason Aldean, the five-time Grammy nominee behind the controversial song Try That in a Small Town, is set to perform at The Liberty Ball on Monday night, alongside Village People and a “surprise musical guest”.

At the Commander-in-Chief Ball

Country group Rascal Flatts will be at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, which focused on military service members, with the Texas singer-songwriter Parker McCollum.

Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox wrote on Instagram that he was “happy and humbled and grateful for the opportunity”.

LeVox played at Mr Trump’s first inauguration and promised that it will be a “night to remember”, thanking South Dakota governor Kristi Noem in his post.

At the Starlight Ball

The Starlight Ball, focused on high-dollar donors, will feature a performance from Gavin DeGraw, a singer-songwriter best known for the song I Don’t Want to Be, which was used as the theme song for the CW show One Tree Hill.

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While you're here
How Apple's credit card works

The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.

What does it cost?

Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.

What will the interest rate be?

The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts

What about security? 

The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.

Is it easy to use?

Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision. 

* Associated Press 

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Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation

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Updated: January 20, 2025, 4:02 PM`