Whoopi Goldberg Champions Carrie Underwood’s Right to Perform at Trump’s Inauguration

During Tuesday’s episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg voiced her support for Carrie Underwood’s decision to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. The TV personality addressed the public reaction following Underwood’s announcement that she would be singing a rendition of “America the Beautiful” as part of the official ceremony when Trump is sworn into office on January 20.

Goldberg firmly defended Underwood’s choice, emphasizing her belief in personal freedom when it comes to artistic expression. Speaking to her co-hosts, she stated, “I stand behind her. If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe they have the same right.” Goldberg highlighted the importance of respecting artists’ decisions to participate in national events, regardless of political affiliations, suggesting that performers should be free to share their talents without fear of public backlash.

At 69 years old, Whoopi Goldberg further elaborated on her stance, clarifying that while she fully supports Carrie Underwood’s choice to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, it does not reflect her personal viewing preferences. She emphasized her belief in defending Underwood’s right to participate, stating, “So I have to support her.” However, Goldberg also made it clear that her support for Underwood’s decision doesn’t mean she feels compelled to watch the event herself. She added, “It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested in watching. I won’t be watching. But that’s me.” This statement highlighted Goldberg’s commitment to standing up for artistic freedom while maintaining her own personal views and decision to abstain from viewing the event.

While Whoopi Goldberg expressed support for Carrie Underwood’s decision to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, her The View co-host Joy Behar took a starkly opposing stance. Behar, 82, openly criticized the 41-year-old singer’s choice, particularly taking issue with Underwood’s statement expressing her deep love for the country.

Challenging Underwood’s reasoning, Behar questioned how someone could claim to “love their country” while choosing to perform at an event for Trump, whom she described as a harmful figure for the nation. Behar referred to Trump’s recent hush money conviction, pointing out her belief that the former president’s actions were fundamentally at odds with true patriotism. She argued, “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.”

Her comments reflected a broader criticism of artists aligning with controversial political figures, emphasizing the moral implications she felt were tied to such public performances.

Joy Behar continued to voice her disapproval of Carrie Underwood’s decision to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, expressing confusion over the singer’s statement about loving her country while participating in an event she viewed as endorsing a controversial figure. Behar questioned the contradiction, stating, “I don’t understand how you say you love your country at the same time that you normalize this convicted felon.”

However, despite her strong personal disagreement, Behar acknowledged the importance of free speech and individual choice. She clarified that she would not attempt to prevent Underwood from performing, emphasizing, “I believe in free speech, and I would not be the person to tell her not to perform.”

Adding another perspective, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who previously worked in the Trump administration in 2020, shared a more moderate viewpoint. While acknowledging the divided opinions, Griffin expressed hope for a shift away from the current trend of canceling public figures based on their political associations. She remarked, “I hope we can move beyond the era of politics where we want to cancel people’s livelihoods because we don’t like their politics.”

Griffin’s comments aimed to highlight the importance of tolerance for differing views, even in the face of strong political disagreements.

Rather than calling for direct opposition to Carrie Underwood’s performance at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Joy Behar encouraged those who disapprove of the singer’s decision to express their dissatisfaction in a peaceful, non-confrontational manner. She suggested that critics could make their stance clear by choosing not to support Underwood’s career financially. Behar advised concerned individuals to “register [their] complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows.”

Her statement reflected a belief in consumer choice as a powerful form of protest, advocating for a personal boycott rather than public shaming or direct attempts to silence the artist’s freedom to perform.

In a formal statement, Underwood expressed her gratitude for being invited to perform, emphasizing the importance of national unity during such a pivotal moment in the country’s history. “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,” she stated, highlighting her hope for a more united and forward-focused America.

The event follows Trump’s victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the November 2024 presidential election. Trump, 78, secured the win against Harris, 60, in a closely watched race that continued to spark national debate and division leading up to the inauguration.