
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. This return to the political scene is accompanied by a playlist as eclectic as it is unexpected. The Village People, disco kings, and Carrie Underwood, country icon, will headline the ceremony. At first glance, it all seems festive. But upon closer inspection, the contradictions become apparent.
The Village People: From LGBTQ+ Disco to Serving Trump
It’s hard to imagine a more emblematic group of the 70s than the Village People. Flashy uniforms, unifying hits like Y.M.C.A., and an indelible mark on global LGBTQ+ culture. Yet today, these icons of a subversive era will perform to celebrate a president often accused of dividing.
Victor Willis, the group’s lead singer, seems untroubled by this contradiction. On Facebook, he claims that music is "above political divides." A well-rehearsed message, but one that rings hollow for many. In 2020, Willis denounced the unauthorized use of Y.M.C.A. at Trump rallies. Today, he embraces this appropriation, even boasting about the sales boosted by this usage.
The irony? Willis recently downplayed any gay connotation of the song, claiming it’s just a song about "a fun place." A statement that might irk their historical fans.
Carrie Underwood: Neutrality in a Star-Spangled Banner
At the other end of the musical spectrum, Carrie Underwood, rising country star and American Idol winner, brings a gentle voice to this inauguration. Known for her patriotic songs, she will sing America the Beautiful. Politically unengaged, she plays the unity card: "It’s an honor to represent our country at a historic moment."
However, this commitment is far from neutral. While her peers like Taylor Swift or Dolly Parton take progressive stances, Underwood stands out with strategic silence. A silence that, for some, amounts to an implicit stance.
Between Opportunism and Ideological Contradictions
This lineup raises a recurring question: how far can one go to stay in the spotlight? The Village People, once pioneers of a transgressive culture, find themselves celebrating a president whose policies divide. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood bets on a smooth and consensual image, even at the cost of assumed ambiguity.
Trump’s inauguration thus takes on the appearance of a grand spectacle. Between a disco anthem stripped of its essence and a country ballad devoid of political flair, the mix is cleverly calculated. Trump, master of staging, orchestrates a score that speaks to everyone… or almost everyone.
A Day of Musical and Political Contrasts
Besides the Village People and Underwood, other artists will be part of the event. Among them, Lee Greenwood, known for God Bless the USA, and Christopher Macchio, a tenor with lyrical flights already accustomed to pro-Trump stages. A mix of styles illustrating an assumed strategy: to bring together a diverse audience around a divisive figure.
However, the cultural impact is not unanimous. While some applaud the boldness, others denounce a distortion of artistic values. By aligning with Trump, these artists accept to play a risky score, between opportunism and reinterpretation of their legacy.
In the end, Trump’s inauguration promises to be as spectacular as it is polarizing. A show where music tries to mask tensions, but where every note seems to remind a truth: everyone is ready to dance… as long as there’s a stage and spotlights.