Ariana Grande ignites debate online after liking a post mocking Carrie Underwood’s performance at Trump’s inauguration.
Ariana Grande has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after seemingly throwing shade at fellow singer Carrie Underwood during the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump. The controversy erupted following Underwood’s performance of “America the Beautiful,” which was marred by unexpected technical difficulties that caused the track to fail mid-performance. Left standing in silence, Underwood, visibly flustered, turned to the audience in the U.S. Capitol for help, asking, “If you know the words, help me out here,” before continuing the performance a cappella.
While the performance was already met with backlash from some, given Underwood’s controversial decision to participate in the inauguration, things took a dramatic turn when Ariana Grande, who is known for her strong social media presence, liked a post that poked fun at Underwood’s performance. The post, shared by internet personality Evan Ross Katz, featured a snapshot of Underwood singing while Vice President Kamala Harris looked on, seemingly unimpressed.
Katz captioned the image, “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (‘Girl, find the note’) watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling Inauguration.” The line referenced a moment from the popular reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, in which contestant Coco Montrese delivers the iconic “find the note” line. The subtle jab at Underwood’s performance quickly went viral, with many fans applauding Grande for her apparent shade, while others expressed their displeasure, calling it inappropriate.
On X, fans took sides, with one user writing, “And that’s why Ari is queen,” while others rallied to Underwood’s defence, claiming that the singer’s performance was unfairly criticised. They argued that the challenges of the event, including cramped conditions and poor acoustics, made it impossible for Underwood to deliver a flawless rendition.
In response to the backlash, Underwood explained her stance, emphasising that her performance was one of patriotism. “I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration,” she said in a statement, reaffirming that the event meant a great deal to her personally. However, she did express frustration with the circumstances surrounding the performance, revealing that she found the acoustics and space available for her performance challenging.
The backlash to Underwood’s involvement in the inauguration was further compounded by the unusual line-up of performers, which included country music stars like Jason Aldean and Kid Rock, as well as the Village People. The event saw a series of unusual moments, including Trump dancing to “Y.M.C.A.” during the pre-inaugural festivities.
As the debate rages on, Ariana Grande’s social media activity continues to stir up conversation. Whether intentional or not, the pop star’s interaction with the post has caused a ripple effect, pitting fans against each other in the battle for public opinion. As both artists continue to navigate the political and cultural climate, their involvement in the inauguration performance has undoubtedly left a lasting impact.
