Throughout Donald Trump’s public life, a number of musicians and artists have chosen to perform at his rallies, campaign events, and inaugurations. These decisions have often sparked discussion and, at times, controversy, given the polarizing nature of his political career. While some artists have maintained a public association with Trump, others have seen their participation lead to significant fan backlash or have later distanced themselves. This list explores some of the notable musical acts and performers who have lent their talents to events associated with Donald Trump.
Prominent Performers at Trump Events
Several artists have become closely associated with performing at Trump-related events. Kid Rock, a country rocker, has been a frequent participant, appearing at multiple rallies and events, including a victory rally in 2025 and the All-American Halftime Show during the 2026 Super Bowl. He has also been noted for his personal relationship with Trump, including visits to the White House and playing golf together.
Americana musician Lee Greenwood is another artist known for his patriotic performances at Trump events. His hit song “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been a staple, and he performed at the Salute to America 250 celebration on the National Mall in 2025. Greenwood also performed at Trump’s 2025 Inauguration and at the 2024 Republican convention.
Country singer Toby Keith was among the early mainstream musicians to perform at a Trump event, taking the stage at a welcome celebration in 2017 prior to Trump’s first inauguration. Similarly, the rock band 3 Doors Down performed at the same 2017 welcome event. Guitarist Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down later clarified that their participation was in support of the presidential inauguration itself, rather than a specific political endorsement.
Inaugural Performances and Associated Artists
The inaugurations of Donald Trump have seen a variety of musical acts. For his first inauguration in 2017, teenager Jackie Evancho performed the national anthem. Later, for the 2025 inauguration, Carrie Underwood performed “America the Beautiful,” a choice that drew considerable online attention. Christopher Macchio, a classical tenor, also performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2025 inauguration, having previously appeared at Republican conventions and rallies.
The 2025 inauguration festivities also included performances by The Village People, who performed at three events during inauguration week. The band stated their belief that “music is to be performed without regard to politics.” Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus performed at the Liberty Inaugural Ball in 2025, shortly after endorsing Trump. Jason Aldean also performed at the Liberty Inaugural Ball and had a history of friendship with Trump, having spoken at his rallies and performed at a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago in 2021.
Gary LeVox, the frontman for Rascal Flatts, performed solo at the first inauguration and later with the full band at the Commander-in-Chief Ball in 2025. Parker McCollum, another country music artist, also performed at the Commander-in-Chief Ball during the 2025 inauguration festivities. Gavin DeGraw performed at the Starlight Ball in 2025 as part of the inauguration events.
Performances Sparking Debate and Backlash
Some performances have generated significant debate. Rapper Snoop Dogg performed at the 2025 Crypto Ball, a move that surprised many given his previous critical remarks about Trump. The performance reportedly led to a substantial loss of Instagram followers.
Ted Nugent, a guitarist, performed the national anthem for Trump multiple times during the 2016 campaign and visited the White House in 2017. Rapper Kanye West’s public support for Trump during his first term drew widespread criticism. While West later stated he was “done with Trump” in 2020, Trump also distanced himself from West following antisemitic comments made by the rapper in 2022.
Rapper Kodak Black was linked to Trump after receiving a presidential pardon in 2021. He subsequently released a song crediting Trump as a songwriter and appeared at MAGA events.
Later Events and Contemporary Performers
In more recent years, events like Turning Point USA’s 2026 All-American Halftime Show featured artists such as Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett. Barrett, an American Idol alum, had previously performed at several Trump-focused events, including the 2018 White House Christmas Tree Lighting. Lee Brice was also a performer at the 2026 Halftime Show.
Actor and comedian Roseanne Barr appeared on Tom MacDonald’s pro-Trump song “Daddy’s Home.” In early 2026, rapper Nicki Minaj publicly endorsed Trump, leading to backlash from her fanbase. She has since appeared at events with Trump and adopted the moniker #WhiteHouseBarbie.
The Freedom 250 Concert series saw performances from artists like Flo Rida, who performed despite fan backlash. Other acts associated with this series included Bret Michaels, Young MC, The Commodores, and Martina McBride, though some reportedly withdrew as the events became more overtly partisan.
Conclusion
The decision for artists to perform at political events, particularly those associated with a figure as prominent and often controversial as Donald Trump, carries significant weight. The artists listed above represent a range of musical genres and career stages, and their participation has highlighted the complex relationship between entertainment, politics, and public opinion. While some have embraced their association, others have faced scrutiny, underscoring the impact such choices can have on an artist’s career and public image.
