Various celebrities have used their platform to defend Carrie Underwood after it was announced that the country music singer will perform a rendition of “America the Beautiful” at President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration.

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Underwood for comment on Wednesday outside of normal business hours.

Why It Matters

Underwood is the first big-name performer to be confirmed for Trump’s inauguration festivities on January 20 and has received criticism for supporting the event.

What To Know

A Presidential Inaugural Committee spokesperson confirmed Underwood’s appearance to Newsweek on Monday. The Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club will accompany Underwood, the spokesperson also confirmed.

Fans and critics of the American Idol winner—who recently performed a medley of her hits on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest—were quick to speak out on X (formerly known as Twitter) with their opinions on her appearance.

Although the singer has largely stayed out of politics in the past, many social media users said they were not surprised that the “Jesus, Take The Wheel” singer appeared to lean right politically. “Not y’all actually gagging at Carrie Underwood being MAGA…the signs were there,” one person wrote.

Other users wrote that they would be boycotting the star, with one writing, “Shame on Carrie Underwood. She has been removed from my playlists. Is it so hard to stand up with moral principles? Money is truly the root of all evil.”

Some even took to the comments of Underwood’s posts on Instagram to share their disappointment. One person commented: “As a longtime fan that’s been to all of your concerts, including Vegas, I’m heartbroken at your decision to perform next week. I thought you stood for love & acceptance, not hate & judgement.”

“Performing for the orange felon will be a stain on your career for the rest of your life,” wrote another.

What People Are Saying

Country singer John Rich reshared on X confirmation of Underwood performing at the inauguration and wrote: “THERE SHE IS:) Carrie is a Patriot.”

“There are several top tier country artists who support Trump, and I wish they’d finally have the balls to come forward and be counted. Ain’t nothing outlaw about keeping your mouth shut to appease the record label. Carrie Underwood is making you look like a bunch of sissy boys,” he said in another post.

“Repost this if you’re PROUD of @carrieunderwood for agreeing to sing at the Trump Inauguration! I know I am:) She needs to hear from the masses…hit the button!” Rich later added.

T.J. Holmes, reporter and co-host of the Amy & T.J. podcast, said on the Tuesday’s episode: “You better believe a lot of her fans and a lot of people are split on her participation—you can go look up her response if you’d like—but she’s performing. Hey, it’s the damn… it’s an inauguration. It’s an American event, it’s a patriotic event in a lot of ways and it’s just a beautiful event that happens every four years in this country. To participate in it, who wouldn’t say yes to that? Does it matter who the president is? Can you not participate because people have an issue with politics or the policies or the person?”

Amy Robach, reporter and co-host of the Amy & T.J. podcast, said on Tuesday’s episode: “Yeah, I think that Carrie Underwood made the decision that was right for her, and she has a beautiful voice and I can’t wait to hear it.”

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, said on the show Tuesday: “I stand behind her. If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe [she has] the same right. I have to support. It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested. I won’t be watching, but that’s just me.”

Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of The View, said on the show Tuesday: “If you have a problem, you register your complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows. But, I also think from a business standpoint, it’s not a bad decision for Carrie Underwood.”

Carrie Underwood in a previous statement shared with Newsweek: “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. 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.”

What Happens Next

The inauguration will take place on Monday, January 20. Opera singer Christopher D. Macchio, who performed at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally in October, will perform the national anthem.