Kelly Stafford Defends Carrie Underwood’s Performance at Trump Inauguration
Kelly Stafford advocated for unity while defending Carrie Underwood’s performance at Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration.
Underwood, 41, performed “America the Beautiful” a cappella on January 20, despite facing technical issues, which sparked criticism from some of her fans.
After her Morning After podcast cohost, Hank Winchester, suggested that Americans should “put politics aside” and accept White House invitations regardless of the administration, Stafford agreed with him.
“I’m with you,” Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, said during the January 23 episode. “We have to respect the power in place. When they’re in power, you can’t change it. You just have to pray that they make the right choices for the country. Support them however you can, even if you don’t like them. You just do it until the next term and then we’ll (obscenity) again.”
She added, “People are in place. It is what it is.”
Regarding political debates, Kelly simply stated, “I don’t care enough.”
“I have a sister I love more than life,” Kelly said. “I’d do anything for her. She’s my favorite person. She’s very passionate about the current President. She sends me things, but I don’t really click on them because it changes my algorithm.”
Kelly emphasized that Underwood’s performance didn’t necessarily signal any specific political views from the American Idol winner.
“I love that I didn’t know her stance on politics,” Kelly said. “I think that’s kind of amazing.”
In a statement prior to her performance, Underwood stopped short of supporting any politician or party, explaining that she was honored to be part of the event.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said. “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.”
As for the rest of the Inauguration, Kelly mentioned she only saw snippets as she was traveling home from her husband’s January 19 playoff game in Philadelphia, but she did notice the fashion highlights.
“I did see the outfits,” Kelly said. “When Melania [Trump] came out with that hat, you know I love hats. I thought it was great.”
Kelly speculated that Melania might have been “trying to cover her face a bit, so if anything was said, you couldn’t get a reaction.”