Lee Greenwood defends Carrie Underwood amid backlash over plans to perform at inauguration

After Carrie Underwood received mixed reactions for agreeing to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Lee Greenwood is coming to the country star’s defense.

“Carrie Underwood is an amazing artist,” the “God Bless the USA” singer told Fox News Digital on Friday. “A great singer. I’ve sung with her before. She’ll do a great job singing at the Capitol with ‘America the Beautiful’.”

“I sing before the president takes his oath,” he added. “She will sing along. And that very moment will be magic. To the people who have something negative to say, I say keep it to yourself. Don’t attack one of my friends who is here for the same reason I am is to inaugurate the 47th President of the United States.”

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Lee Greenwood has come to Carrie Underwood’s defense after the country star was criticized by some for choosing to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. (Getty Images)

Underwood, who has mostly stayed away from voicing her political beliefs, confirmed her attendance earlier this week.

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Underwood said she is “honored” to have been asked to perform at the inauguration. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ABA)

“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event,” said Underwood, who will be joined by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look forward.”

While some criticized her, including Joy Behar of “The View,” others were quick to offer their support.

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During an episode of the “Amy & TJ” podcast last week, TJ Holmes said: “You better believe that a lot of her fans and a lot of people are divided about her participation — you can go look up her responses if you want — but she’s performing Hey, it’s damn … it’s an American event, it’s a patriotic event in many ways, and it’s just a beautiful event. It happens every four years in this country, who wouldn’t say yes to that.

Underwood received mixed reactions about her upcoming performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Chris Polk)

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“Yes, I think Carrie Underwood made the decision that was right for her and she has a beautiful voice and I can’t wait to hear it,” added Amy Robach.

As for Greenwood — who has performed a handful of times at Trump-related events, including the 2017 inauguration and the 2024 Republican National Convention — the singer said it’s a “huge privilege” to take the stage again at such a historic event .

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“To be included in this, I mean there are thousands and thousands of people who would have loved to be here in Washington, DC, to see this live. And there will be a crowd. But to be on stage with him, it’s just a great privilege.”

Greenwood will perform his ballad “God Bless in the USA” on January 20. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Greenwood said he is looking forward to what the next four years will bring.

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“To my president, Donald Trump, we have confidence in you that for the next four years, when I spoke to you at Mar-a-Lago, you are a peacemaker,” he told Fox News Digital. “You are going to change the way the world thinks about America. We are all about MAGA and Making America Great Again. From my father’s time in the Navy, in the Merchant Marine during World War II and my wife’s father’s tenure in the Army, we know , that you respect the military and that you use it wisely for all that you will do for all the rest of us, the citizens of America stand with you.

Trump’s presidential inauguration events will feature performances by Underwood the Village People and Greenwood.

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