Donald Trump is ensuring that his comeback resonates globally.
As the second president to serve a split term, the celebrations for Trump’s Inauguration Day are set to emphasize grandeur, featuring a presidential parade and three distinct inaugural balls scheduled after his swearing-in ceremony.
Per the schedule released by his inaugural committee on Monday, Trump will kick off his significant Inauguration Day with a service at St. John’s Church, followed by tea at the White House. After the swearing-in at the Capitol, a congressional luncheon will occur, from which the president-elect will eventually excuse himself to lead the presidential parade.
Following the parade and a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump will attend and address three inaugural balls: the Commander in Chief Ball for military personnel, the Liberty Inaugural Ball for his supporters, and the Starlight Ball for his top donors.
But when will the Village People take to the stage? Here’s what we currently know about the special appearances at Trump’s inauguration festivities.
Making a nod to a prior event from the 2024 campaign trail, a garbage truck is reportedly set to appear during the president-elect’s inaugural parade, according to The Hill.
Trump was previously seen with this large vehicle at a Wisconsin campaign event last October.
At that time, President Biden faced criticism for suggesting Trump’s supporters were “garbage”—a reference to a comedian who, while opening for Trump at a rally, called Puerto Rico a “floating pile of garbage.”
Trump arrived at the event in the truck, humorously asking, “What do you think of my garbage truck?”
“This truck is dedicated to Kamala and Joe Biden,” he added.
A representative from Trump’s inaugural committee has yet to respond to the Daily Beast’s request for comments.
The iconic voices that entertained Trump on the campaign trail, The Village People, are set to perform at one of the president-elect’s inaugural balls next week, as well as at a rally in Washington the day before the inauguration.
Renowned for hits like “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.,” the band’s frontman Victor Willis announced their participation in Trump’s inauguration via Facebook on Monday, stating: “We know some may not be thrilled about this news, but we hold that music should transcend politics.
“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a worldwide anthem meant to unite the country after a divisive campaign where our favored candidate did not prevail,” Willis explained. “Thus, now is the time to unify the nation through music, which is why the VILLAGE PEOPLE will perform at multiple events for the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
The group’s famous tracks became key features at Trump’s campaign rallies in 2024 and were frequently accompanied by his well-known dance routines.
A noteworthy highlight of Trump’s inauguration will be a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by country music star Carrie Underwood. The American Idol champion, who has mostly refrained from discussing her political views, will perform alongside the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
“I have a deep love for our country and am honored to sing at the Inauguration and be a small part of this significant occasion,” Underwood told the Daily Beast in a statement. “I feel honored to respond to the call at a time when unity and a focus on the future are essential.”
Underwood had previously told the Guardian in an interview from 2019 that she strives to “avoid politics in public as much as possible, because it doesn’t benefit anyone.”
“I believe more people try to categorize me politically,” she continued. “Everyone wants to simplify everything, as though it’s black and white. But it’s not that simple.”
The lineup for Trump’s inauguration also showcases a performance by country singer and saxophonist Lee Greenwood.
According to information from the president-elect’s inaugural committee, the Associated Press reports that Greenwood will perform as Trump steps forward to take his oath on Monday. Greenwood had previously sung at the Republican National Convention in July.
The singer chosen to perform the National Anthem at the conclusion of the ceremony is Christopher Macchio.
A classical crossover artist, Macchio was a familiar performer during Trump’s campaign. He also performed at the Republican National Convention in July, Trump’s second rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in October, and his event at Madison Square Garden that same month.
Pop icon Lady Gaga sang the National Anthem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
As per a program acquired by the Daily Beast, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will administer the oath of office to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance next Monday. Both are fellow Yale Law School alumni.
Meanwhile, as tradition dictates, Chief Justice John Roberts will oversee Trump’s swearing-in.
Trump’s swearing-in agenda also indicates that an imam, a Catholic bishop, a rabbi, and an Evangelist are all scheduled to deliver a benediction at the service’s conclusion.
The four individuals leading the benediction are: Rabbi Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University; Imam Husham Al Husainy of the Karbalaa Islamic Center in Dearborn, Michigan; Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of the 180 Church in Detroit; and Reverend Father Frank Mann from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. Sewell previously spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, merely one month after Trump visited his church while campaigning in Michigan.
