Jason Aldean Weighs In On Carrie Underwood's Controversial A Capella Performance

Jason Aldean is coming to Carrie Underwood's defense amid recent backlash.

The country music star demonstrated her exceptional talent and poise during her performance of "America the Beautiful" at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. However, the "American Idol" alum's moment in the spotlight was not without its share of drama and subsequent online debate. The performance took an unexpected turn when an audio malfunction disrupted the instrumental track meant to accompany her rendition.

Unfazed, Carrie Underwood quickly adapted, mouthing to the crew, “I can just sing it,” before stepping up to deliver a powerful a cappella version of the patriotic classic.

Her quick thinking and professionalism earned applause from the audience, which included President Trump, his family, and various political dignitaries. Members of the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club joined in, transforming what could have been a mishap into a unifying and memorable moment.

Despite Underwood’s graceful recovery, the performance sparked a wave of online discussion, much of it critical.

A now-viral Instagram post humorously compared Vice President Kamala Harris’s reaction to a famous "RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars" moment. The caption read, “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (‘Girl, find the note’) watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling Inauguration.”

The post, which gained traction on social media, was liked by notable stars Ariana Grande and Mandy Moore, subtly hinting at their stance on the matter.

Not all responses were critical, though. Country music star Jason Aldean publicly defended Underwood during an appearance on "Fox & Friends."

“First of all, it’s a hard song to do anyway, and when you’re supposed to be singing to a track—that’s what gives you pitch reference for the song,” Aldean said. “To not have that, for her to just kinda say, ‘All right, listen, we’ll go.’ That’s a big move and that’s a pro move on her part, so I thought it was great.”

Originally planned as an outdoor event, the inauguration was moved indoors at the last minute due to the forecasted cold weather in Washington, D.C. This change left Underwood performing in a more confined space, which reportedly affected her experience.

Sources revealed that Underwood was “dissatisfied” with her performance, primarily due to the cramped setting and lack of a proper stage. Unlike high-profile performances from past inauguration headliners like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, Underwood felt her setup was underwhelming, with minimal space and compromised acoustics.

“She felt as if she was literally just in a room with people all around her and a microphone,” one insider explained. “Her anxiety was high throughout the performance, and she felt that she wasn’t afforded the same level of respect or admiration that previous performers had received.”

Underwood faced backlash for accepting the invitation to perform at Trump’s inauguration, but she remained unfazed by the criticism. A source close to the singer shared that Underwood is “very proud” of her decision and doesn’t care what detractors have to say.

Despite the challenges, Underwood improvised to keep the show going. When the backing track abruptly stopped, the singer paused briefly before encouraging the audience to join her in singing the patriotic classic.

“She visibly clutched her microphone, feeling uneasy,” the source said. “But she powered through, telling the audience, ‘Sing along if you know the words,’ even as her frustration was evident.”

After the performance, Underwood reportedly expressed disappointment about the event’s execution. A source told the Daily Mailthat the singer felt she wasn’t given the same respect or platform as her predecessors. “She is used to playing at massive venues with a stage to herself. This was not the setup she’s accustomed to,” the insider said.

Adding to her frustration, Underwood reportedly experienced a “mini hissy fit” afterward, feeling that the lack of preparation and the last-minute changes negatively impacted her performance.

While Underwood’s performance may not have gone as planned, she remained determined to deliver a memorable moment despite the obstacles. “Though it wasn’t ideal and wasn’t what she wanted it to be, the unique nature of it all made it stand out,” the source concluded.