At the event, Carrie Underwood faced a technical issue while performing “America the Beautiful” at President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The background music malfunctioned, and Underwood had to sing a cappella, seamlessly hitting all the notes. She wore a sleeveless white dress and performed beautifully, with many attendees singing along. Afterward, she shook hands with President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and received praise from Biden. Despite the honor, some from the LGBTQ+ community criticized Underwood’s participation, especially after her 2017 song “Love Wins,” which seemed to support same-sex marriage and criticized divisive politics. Underwood responded, expressing her love for the country and her pride in contributing to the event, promoting unity despite the backlash.