Jason Aldean calls Carrie Underwood a “pro” for performing amid tech issues at Donald Trump’s inauguration

Jason Aldean has called Carrie Underwood a “pro” for enduring tech issues during her performance at President Donald Trump‘s inauguration.

• READ MORE: Entertainment world reacts to Donald Trump’s 2024 US election win: “We are all totally fucked”

The ‘Before He Cheats’ singer took to the stage on Monday (January 20) to sing ‘America the Beautiful’ following Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.

Speaking ahead of the performance, Underwood said: “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,” per Associated Press. “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.”

When the actual day came, though, it was mired in technical difficulties, with the backing track unable to play and Underwood having to sing a capella.

Now, fellow country music singer Jason Aldean has come to her defence. Speaking to Fox and Friends, Aldean said: “First of all, it’s a hard song to do anyway. When you’re supposed to be singing to a track and that’s what gives you pitch reference for the song and to not have that and for her to just kinda say, ‘All right, listen, we’ll go.’ That’s a big move and that’s a pro move on her part, so I thought it was great.”

Underworld has kept her political views quiet throughout her career but was still subjected to criticism online for associating with Trump. She also didn’t endorse a candidate for the presidential election in November.

Aldean also shared his own thoughts on artists coming forward about their political views, telling the station: “I do feel a bit vindicated. My wife and I talk about this all the time, for the last four years especially, you’re taking a lot of heat for stepping out and telling people how we feel about the state of the country and that regime that had been in office. It’s been a little odd at times.”

Underwood came under fire when it was announced she would be performing at the event. Whoopi Goldberg later defended her decision, but added that she will not be watching.

The actor and chat show host has been critical of Trump’s policies in the past – even refusing to say his name after his election win.

Also performing at the Donald Trump inauguration events were Snoop Dogg and Soulja Boy, who performed at the Crypto Ball, and Nelly, who responded to backlash, calling it “an honour” to perform at the ceremony.

Kid Rock was also on the bill, and recently denied that the Secret Service prevented him from having strippers at the set, as was Village People, who performed their hit ‘Y.M.C.A.’.

Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th United States President on Monday (January 20) and immediately set about issuing a series of executive orders, including one declaring that the country would only recognise two genders: male and female.

The policy has prompted widespread criticism, including from Lucy Dacus, who has pledged $10,000 for trans surgeries for followers and has encouraged others to donate similarly.

Ariana Grande has also shared a repost on Instagram Stories that reads: “Let’s be very clear: queer and trans people were here before Donald Trump and will continued to be here after he’s dead. Whether or not you want to us to exist is secondary to the simple fact that we do. The sun does not care if you sign an executive order telling it to stop rising each morning. It just continues to rise.”

During the inauguration events, Elon Musk gave a speech expressing his delight at Trump’s victory, before slapping his chest with his right hand and extending his arm diagonally upwards with the palm facing down. The X/Twitter owner then turned around to crowd members behind the podium and repeated the gesture.

Many people have compared the gesture to a Nazi salute, including My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero, who wrote: “Fuck this guy and every single person supporting this shit or wasting any kind of breath attempting to defend it,” he wrote in the caption, before adding: “Your true colours are shining through. #SmashHate.”

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