Carrie Underwood has found herself at the center of controversy following her decision to perform “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. While her announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike, the hosts of The View offered a range of perspectives, with some showing support and others expressing strong disapproval.
Underwood addressed the backlash with a statement released Monday.
“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,” the country music singer and American Idol alum said. “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.”
A screenshot of the hosts of the View discussing politics – YouTube, The View
While Underwood emphasized patriotism and unity, Joy Behar was feeling anything but. On Tuesday’s episode of The View, Behar questioned the sincerity of Underwood’s statement.
“How do you love your country and support and normalize somebody who was a convicted felon, who really wants to destroy the country, in my opinion?” she asked.
Behar’s co-host Sunny Hostin echoed the sentiment, stating that if she were in Underwood’s shoes, she would give a “hard no” to the invitation. Hostin added, “I just can’t imagine standing on that stage and acting as if everything he’s done is okay.”
Despite their criticism, both Behar and Hostin conceded that Underwood had the right to make her own decision.
Donald Trump speaks at his inauguration in 2017 – YouTube, ABC News
Behar noted, “I would not be the person to tell someone else not to perform at the inauguration because I believe in free speech,” while Hostin agreed that artists have a “right to perform where [they] want to perform.”
However, not all of The View hosts condemned Underwood’s choice. In a rare moment of clarity, Whoopi Goldberg, while not a supporter of Trump, defended the country star’s decision.
“I stand behind her,” Goldberg said. “If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe they have the same right. So I have to support [her]. It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested in watching. I won’t be watching. But that’s me.”
A Screenshot of Whoopi Goldberg Speaking on The View – YouTube, The View
Goldberg compared the situation to the backlash MSNBC’s Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski faced after meeting with Trump following his initial election victory. She argued that, like Underwood, Scarborough and Brzezinski were simply doing what they felt they needed to do.
Alyssa Farah Griffin also came to Underwood’s defense, criticizing the tendency to ostracize performers for their political associations.
“I hope that we’re moving beyond the era of politics where we want to cancel people’s livelihoods because we don’t like their politics,” Griffin said. She added that those upset by Underwood’s decision could “register your complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows.”
President Donald Trump being sworn in on January 20, 2017 at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Melania Trump wears a sky-blue cashmere Ralph Lauren ensemble. He holds his left hand on two versions of the Bible, one childhood Bible given to him by his mother, along with Abraham Lincoln’s Bible. Photo Credit: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Griffin did suggest, however, that Underwood’s choice might have been strategic.
“She will now become an icon of MAGA and the American right, and she’s probably going to make a lot of money off of it,” she speculated.
How do you feel about Carrie Underwood performing at the Trump inauguration? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
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