--- title: Singers Quotes on Performing at Donald Trump's Inauguration description: Entertainers ranging from John Legend to Idina Menzel have sounded off on whether or not they would perform at Donald Trump's Inauguration. canonical: https://time.com/4609263/celebrities-on-donald-trump-inauguration-performance/ author: Cady Lang article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-12-21T19:25:04.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-07T06:57:08.979Z og:title: 25 Entertainers on Whether They'd Do Trump's Inauguration og:description: From Garth Brooks to Elton John og:url: https://time.com/4609263/celebrities-on-donald-trump-inauguration-performance/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfae2fef0ed15fe66/6988b3a98fd2ee10fb3553ed/donald-trump-inauguration-who-is-performing.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2000 og:image:height: 1125 og:image:alt: President-Elect Donald Trump Holds Thank You Rally In Mobile, Alabama og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 25 Entertainers on Whether They'd Do Trump's Inauguration twitter:description: From Garth Brooks to Elton John twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfae2fef0ed15fe66/6988b3a98fd2ee10fb3553ed/donald-trump-inauguration-who-is-performing.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 25 Entertainers on Whether They'd Perform at Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration > Sponsored content. 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Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=accd6844-4200-459f-8d49-949ab763c323&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: TIME 2016 Person of the Year: Donald Trump [Watch (HLS stream): TIME 2016 Person of the Year: Donald Trump](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Q0tBuF3M.m3u8) (4:12)  _Published 2016-12-07. The 2016 Person of the Year is Donald Trump, the President of the divided states of America._  by [Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Dec 21, 2016 7:25 PM UTC  by [Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Dec 21, 2016 7:25 PM UTC As the[ inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump](http://time.com/4607439/donald-trump-inauguration-sons-nonprofit-texas/) approaches, the question on everyone’s lips has been who will be performing at the inauguration and its related festivities. The [inauguration ceremony and its accompanying celebrations has traditionally been a great honor for performers](http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872698,00.html), with past performers for Obama including Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Clarkson, and for Bush, Destiny’s Child (Beyoncé again,) Ricky Martin, and Denyce Graves. This year, however, might present a unique set of challenges for booking talent for the inauguration, which [had confirmed only Jackie Evancho ](http://people.com/politics/jackie-evancho-sing-donald-trump-inauguration/)and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as of Thursday. It’s also worth noting that during the 2016 presidential election, many actors and singers were vocal supporters of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Of the artist friendly with Trump, Kanye West has praised and met with the President-elect, while Dee Snider has sung “We’re Not Gonna Take It” with Trump, later clarifying this was [not an endorsement](http://ew.com/article/2016/10/04/donald-trump-dee-snider-video/). With that in mind, here’s a look at the entertainers who have spoken out so far on whether or not they would perform at the inauguration for Donald Trump. **Rick Astley**: “Depends how big the check was! Politically, the whole world’s been shaken this year – and that was the icing on the cake. But whether it was Donald Trump or anybody else, I’m not sure I’d want to go and play at the inauguration of an American president. I don’t think that’s a place for a British artist to be, to be honest.” \[[_BBC_](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38298215)\] **Andrea Bocelli**: Rumors abounded that Bocelli would be performing, but Trump inauguration committee chairman Thomas J. Barrack, Jr. set the record straight: “The Bocellis came to him and said, ‘Look, if it would be helpful to you, if you would like us to perform, we would consider it. And Donald said: ‘You don’t need to. We’re not in that kind of a framework. Thanks very much for the offer. You’re my friend. You are always welcome at the White House.’” \[[_CNBC_](http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/20/the-head-of-trumps-inauguration-explains-whats-going-on-with-andrea-bocelli.html)\] **Garth Brooks** (responding hypothetically after mentioning he hadn’t been asked): “It’s always about serving. It’s what you do.” \[[_TMZ_](http://www.tmz.com/2016/12/01/garth-brooks-sing-inauguration-trump/)\] **The Chainsmokers**: After _New York Magazine’s_ Brian Feldman jokingly [tweeted](https://twitter.com/bafeldman/status/809528262087081984) that the band would be performing at the inauguration, their manager had a succinct but firm reply: “False.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/no-chainsmokers-wont-be-performing-at-donald-trumps-inauguration-manager-says/)\] **Charlotte Church**: “A simple internet search would show I think you’re a tyrant. Bye.” \[[Twitter](https://twitter.com/charlottechurch/status/818766435703025664?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)\] **The Dixie Chicks**: Their manager Simon Renshaw commented, “If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get…No one is prepared to normalize what is going on in the country right now.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/dixie-chicks-manager-hollywood-not-ready-make-nice-trump-inauguration-team-exclusive/)\] **Jackie Evancho**: The 16-year-old _America’s Got Talent_ contestant is the only confirmed performer for the inauguration so far and expressed her delight on The Today Show. “I am so excited. It’s going to be awesome. I felt really honored to be able to sing for the office. It’s a great honor for me.” \[[_The Today Show_](http://www.today.com/popculture/america-s-got-talent-singer-jackie-evancho-sing-trump-inauguration-t105955)\] **Rebecca Ferguson**: “I’ve been asked and this is my answer. If you allow me to sing “Strange Fruit” a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington.” \[[Twitter](http://time.com/4620259/rebecca-ferguson-strange-fruit-donald-trump-inauguration/)\] **David Foster**: “For the record, I was asked to participate in the upcoming inauguration some time ago and I politely and respectfully declined. Any news outlet that is reporting otherwise is misinformed.” \[[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BOIVjb7Anwv/)\] **Matt Healy**: “I’ll do it if they give me cash up front. Then watch what would happen. It would be a riot.” \[[_BBC_](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38298215)\] **Ice T**: The rapper joked on Twitter that he had been approached to perform at the inauguration, but “didn’t pick up and blocked the number,” going so far as to suggest Ted Nugent, an avowed Trump supporter as an alternative. He later put to rest inquiries about his claim with a follow-up tweet. > [](https://twitter.com/FINALLEVEL/status/809563070456598529) \[[Twitter](https://twitter.com/FINALLEVEL/status/809563070456598529?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)\] **Elton John**: Though Anthony Scaramucci, a member of the presidential transition team, told the _BBC_ that John would be performing at the inauguration, the singer’s publicist Fran Curtis sent the _New York Times_ the following as a response to the report: “Incorrect. He will NOT be performing.” \[[_The New York Times_](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/arts/music/no-elton-john-will-not-perform-at-the-trump-inauguration.html)\] **John Legend**: When asked about the popular opinion among artists who spoke up: “Creative people tend to reject bigotry and hate. We tend to be more liberal-minded. When we see somebody that’s preaching division and hate and bigotry, it’s unlikely he’ll get a lot of creative people that want to be associated with him.” \[[_BBC_](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38298215)\] **Adam Lambert**: When asked whether or not a large fee would encourage him to perform for the president-elect, Lambert responded: “I don’t think I would take the money on that one.” \[[_BBC_](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38298215)\] **Zara Larsson**: “I would never do it.” \[[_BBC_](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38298215)\] **George Lopez**: “I have turned down the invitation to perform at the inauguration, then they asked if I had Eric Estrada’s phone number.” \[[Twitter](https://twitter.com/georgelopez/status/816044173996371968?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)\] **Eric McCormack**: The _Will and Grace_ star said he would perform at the Inauguration in exchange for a “Lobotomy. My whole brain removed from my head…I don’t know what the line-up will be, but I hear Scott Baio’s doing dramatic readings.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/eric-mccormack-perform-trumps-inauguration-exchange-lobotomy/)\] **Idina Menzel**: “I think it’s karma, baby…Maybe he’ll just have to sing something himself. He probably thinks he has a great voice; he thinks he does everything great.” \[[_Vanity Fair_](http://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/12/idina-menzel-trump-inauguration-performer-woes-are-karma)\] **Moby**: “I guess I’d DJ at an inaugural ball if as payment Trump released his tax returns. Also, I would probably play Public Enemy and Stockhausen remixes to entertain the Republicans.” \[[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDQ8nWjBMp/)\] **The Mormon Tabernacle Choir**: “Singing the music of America is one of the things we do best. We are honored to be able to serve our country by providing music for the inauguration of our next president,” Ron Jarrett, president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, said. \[[_Mormon Newsroom_](http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-tabernacle-choir-trump-inauguration)\] **Vince Neil**: “So we were invited, then it turns out when the Republicans won, we were uninvited.” \[[_TMZ_](http://www.tmz.com/2016/11/18/vince-neil-donald-trump-inauguration/)\] **Issa Rae**: “If I died and they ‘Weekend at Bernies’ed me, so they just propped me up, that’s literally the only way I would perform. I would just be like \[lifeless\], and they’ll move my lips for me.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/heres-take-issa-rae-perform-trumps-inauguration-exclusive-video/)\] **Michael Rapaport**: The actor thinks anyone who performs at the inauguration “should be ashamed of themselves.” He also added that the rumored performance fee would not sway his decision. “I wouldn’t do it for money. Trump has no flavor. His supporters have no flavor.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/michael-rappaport-trump-inauguration-performers-should-be-ashamed/)\] **The Rockettes**: James Dolan, the executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, [said in a statement](http://time.com/4617033/rockettes-donald-trump-inauguration/), “We are honored that the Rockettes have again been asked to perform in the upcoming inauguration festivities.” After at least one dancer voiced concern about “being involved in a dangerous political climate,” the performance union representing the Rockettes [told the dancers](http://time.com/4617393/rockette-concern-over-donald-trump-inauguration-performance/) that they will be required to perform at the inauguration. \[[Twitter](https://twitter.com/alex%5Fmallin/status/812042713365352448?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)\] **Alex Wolff**: “No f–king way.” \[[_The Wrap_](http://www.thewrap.com/patriots-day-alex-wolff-whether-he-would-perform-trumps-inauguration/)\] ## Transcript MUSIC ] Every year we choose the Person of the Year who is the individual who has had the most influence on events for better or worse. The Tod argue that anyone had no influence that Donald Trump over the events of this year. [ MUSIC ] I didn't get Beyonce and Jay Z and Goose Bernstein to get crowds, I had just me. And ideas that people wanted to hear. But there is a profound argument about whether his influence was for the better or for the worse. And that really is the challenge that faces the country came through this election season more divided conspicuously publicly than at any time through any election cycle that most of us Can remember. [ MUSIC ] We're gonna have a lot of jobs put back. I think we're gonna have a lot of fuel companies leaving our country. I believed we will be successful with defeating ISIS or bringing them down to a level where it's almost the same thing. And I hope I'm judged from the time of the election as opposed to from January 20th because the stock market has had a tremendous bounce and people are seeing very good things for business in this country. [ MUSIC ] One of the things that was remarkable in going to see him, to interview him, is to be in that Penthouse which is the most austiontacious, imaginable marble and mirrors, and gold. And see him in the suit and the diamond cuff links. There is a kind of distance that repressed him about, of how is it that the billionaire is the tribune of the working man? He said, he thought that it had to do With that he wasn't a phony, that there have certainly been wealthy politicians before. Doing some cases would bend over backwards to make themselves appear like the common man, or do anything that they could, eating the corn dog at the Iowa State Fair, wearing a flannel shirt in New Hampshire. I think he had a very strong instinct that his wealth and that flamboyant display of his wealth Was not a liability that it was actually an asset. [ MUSIC ] Donal Trump is very comfortable sitting down and answering questions, although he very frequently does not remotely answer the question that you asked. In one sense it feels very undisciplined and in another sense maybe it's very disciplined in that He knows what he will and will not talk about and is unabashed in completely changing the subject. Do you feel changed by your election, and how you do think, if I play this tape back in four or eight years, the office will have changed here? Well, it's a It's a very humbling experience, I can tell you, as somebody that loves this country, it's a very large country, but it's also an even more powerful country than the numbers, because, if you look at China, and India, and you have others with more people, but, when you look at what we do in this country, it's The most incredible place on earth. [ MUSIC ] A lot of people think that Person of the Year just because the nature of the name is an honor. And certainly there have been years where we have recognized people's whose influence has been altogether, unassailably worthy. Normally, that's not the case. I know there are a lot of people who disagree with so much of what Donald Trump said and are very apprehensive about what his presidency means for them and for the country. I think I would challenge them to suggest that someone else this year had more influence than a way greater Surprise than what he did in 2016. 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