Carrie Underwood felt she had not been “granted the same level of respect” as the likes of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga for her controversial performance at Donald Trump’s 2025 presidential inauguration, sources have revealed.
The American Idol star’s performance of America The Beautiful was marred by technical difficulties on Monday, prompting the chart-topper to perform an a cappella performance due to backing track issues.
After the performance, a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the singer, 41, was furious at the fact that she was not given “even a stage or platform” like previous performers.
The source explained that this had a huge impact on the singer’s performance, revealing: “Carrie was dissatisfied with her performance at the event, mainly due to the limited space she was given, which left her feeling cramped and uncomfortable.”
The source added: “Her anxiety was high throughout the performance and she felt she was not being given the same level of respect or admiration that previous artists, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, had received.”
“She felt like she was being pushed in and out and then she had a little rage.”
Carrie Underwood felt strange that she had not been “granted the same level of respect” as the likes of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga for her performance at the 2025 presidential inauguration.
The American Idol star, 41, who performed America The Beautiful was hit by technical difficulties on Monday, prompting the chart-topper to perform an a cappella performance.
The source continued: ‘She’s used to playing big venues with a stage to herself. They didn’t even give him a stage or a platform.
‘It felt like he was literally in a room with people around him and a microphone. This affected the acoustics.’
DailyMail.com has contacted for comment.
In fact, Underwood and the president, 78, grimaced when the backing track started playing and then stopped.
An eerie silence fell over the crowd when the music didn’t play, with a bewildered Underwood grabbing her microphone.
In the midst of the silence, Underwood, increasingly furious, grimaced and decided to perform a cappella.
She said, ‘If you know the words, help me here!’ before singing the song.
Fans quickly took to social media to react, with one joke: “Trump is going to get that coaching staff fired as his first real act as President.”
A source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the singer was furious at the fact that she was not given “even a stage or platform” like previous artists.
Beyoncé and Lady Gaga had much more room to perform when they sang at the inauguration ceremonies in 2013 and 2021, respectively.
In addition to the problems with the backing track, the source noted: “She felt like she was being pushed in and out and then had a little rage attack.”
The source added: “It felt like he was literally in a room with people around him and a microphone.” This ruined the acoustics.
Others praised Underwood for pulling off the performance, saying, “Alternatively, Carrie Underwood had one of the most incredible moments of all time.” Faced with adversity, he decided to do the anthem a cappella, and include everyone present.
‘It was beautiful to see. It was so powerful, a cappella, when everyone came together. Simply wonderfully perfect.’
The problems with the live performance came after Underwood faced criticism for agreeing to perform at the ceremony, saying in a previous statement: “I love our country and I am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this.” historical event.
“I am honored to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”
The Before He Cheats frontwoman is looking to kick off “a big year” for herself professionally by joining the American Idol judging panel, sources told Dailymail.com of her decision to perform.
“This is something she’s very proud of, and the spin she’s putting on it is that she’s doing it for America, not specifically for Trump,” a source said.
The source said Underwood wasn’t focused on the politics of the situation, but rather embracing the big platform.
“She makes her music for everyone, and she also knows that a lot of her fans will be watching the inauguration,” the source said, “so this was a no-brainer since she feels there will be more good things coming out of it than what she’s going to criticize her for. seems to support Trump.
Both fans praised the singer for coming forward, while others joked that karma was the problem for her decision to act.
After her performance, Underwood was seen shaking hands with new Vice President JD Vance and Trump.
“She knows that everything will pass and again she says for herself and those close to her that she is doing it for the United States.”
The source noted that Underwood hoped to unite people with her genre: “She wants to unite the country, and music is her way of doing that, looking beyond any controversy that has arisen and will arise.”
Regarding her return to the Fox music competition, the source said that Underwood “is a former American Idol and America made her dreams come true, this is her contribution to the country she loves and that has always supported her.”
Underwood is among several artists scheduled to perform as Trump begins his second term.
Others set to take the stage in the nation’s capital include the Village People, opera singer Christopher Macchio and God Bless The USA singer Lee Greenwood, who will perform when Trump comes out to take the oath of office.
Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Parker McCollum, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw and Liberty University’s Praise Choir will also perform.
During Trump’s 2017 inauguration, performers who took the stage included America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Rockettes.