Carrie Underwood’s performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration plagued by tech issues

There’s been awkward scenes during Donald Trump’s inauguration, with Carrie Underwood’s performance plagued by tech issues: “Help me out here.”

Spare a thought for country music star Carrie Underwood, the headline act at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

In fact, spare a thought for the tech team who botched her all-important performance.

The former American Idol winner, who was hit with widespread backlash when she was announced as the key performer for today’s event in Washington D.C., was selected to perform the traditional patriotic song America The Beautiful.

Underwood hit the podium in the rotunda waiting for the music to begin, with attending guests and people watching from home forced to sit through an unplanned minute of silence waiting for the soundtrack to start.

Carrie Underwood’s performance of ‘America The Beautiful’ was plagued by tech issues.

“Just sing it?”.

Time was passing and still, no music, as Underwood continued to flash her showbiz smile for the waiting audience.

Eventually, a man wearing headphones approached Underwood to inform her the sound wasn’t working, with Underwood seemingly mouthing, “A cappella? Just sing it?”

“You know the words, help me out there,” Underwood urged the crowd, before beginning.

While it didn’t quite go to plan, Underwood managed to deliver a vocally-perfect performance.

Underwood sings at Mr Trump’s inauguration. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

The song had previously been performed by Jennifer Lopez for Joe Biden’s swearing-in in 2021.

While not quite JLo level celebrity, Underwood was a significant get compared to Mr Trump’s 2017 inauguration, in whichThe Tabernacle Choir delivered the song.

She had previously kept her political views close to her chest until her involvement in Mr Trump’s swearing-in was announced last week.

“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said in a statement last week.

“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.”

America has entered the Trump-Vance era. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Meanwhile, Mr Trump is officially the 47th President of the United States.

He was sworn in at the US Capitol around midday, local time.

Mr Trump was joined by the outgoing president Joe Biden, his defeated opponent Kamala Harris, both of their spouses, and members of the Trump family, including Melania, Donald Jr, Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany and Barron.

J.D. Vance, formerly a senator representing Ohio, has also been sworn in as Vice President.

Originally published as Carrie Underwood’s performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration plagued by tech issues