A massive number of parties, gatherings, music performances and other events are scheduled to surround Donald Trump‘s inauguration as the 47th U.S. President next week, his presidential transition team said on Monday.
The four-day schedule, released by his transition team, includes a fireworks show and three VIP events outside his gold course in Washington, D.C., as well as a celebratory MAGA rally on the eve of his swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol on January 20th. It also includes four inaugural balls.
One of the inauguration’s highlights are the music performances by country star Carrie Underwood and the disco group Village People.
Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” shortly before Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th, according to a copy of the inaugural program provided to the Associated Press. The singer, who launched her career on “American Idol,” said in a statement that “I love our country and I am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.” She added that “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.”
The Village People, the 1970s hitmakers, are set to perform at one of Trump’s inaugural balls and a rally he’s holding in Washington, D.C. before he swears in. They’re best known for their hits “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.” which have been played at Trump’s rallies and the president-elect dancing to Y.M.C.A became a meme last year.
“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” the group said on a post on its Facebook page on Monday. “Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost. Therefore we now believe it’s time to bring the country together with music, which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
Other inauguration ceremony performers will include two of the president-elect’s musical favorites, country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.
Record amount of money raised for Trump’s inauguration
The Vance Trump Inaugural Committee has raised more than $170 million, and is on track to end up with more than $200 million to spend on inaugural events, operations and festivities, news outlets, including NBC News have reported.
The nonprofit committee is tasked with planning and hosting most of the festivities that traditionally accompany the transition of power in the United States. Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and his inaugural address however, are paid by a special joint congressional committee.
Considering the record amount of money Trump’s second inauguration committee has at its disposal, the number of events and balls that will be taking place seem modest when compared with other inaugurations.
Former President Barack Obama‘s 2009 inauguration featured ten official balls. His inaugural committee raised over $53 million.
Former President Bill Clinton hosted fourteen inaugural balls and his committee raised less than $24 million.
President Joe Biden did not host any balls in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
