Jesus, take the wheel.
Carrie Underwood had a quick response to the technical difficulties that preceded her performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
The “American Idol” winner, 41, was slated to sing “America the Beautiful” at the ceremony inside the US Capitol with the accompaniment of the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. However, she was ultimately left without a band or an instrumental track.
The moment Underwood learned the bad news was caught on camera. In a clip from the ceremony shared on social media, someone with a headset approaches the “Before He Cheats” singer as she waits for music to begin playing.
As she’s seemingly told of the major hiccup, Underwood appears to ask, “just sing?”
She then adds, “I can just sing it.”
The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” chanteuse then addressed the assembled guests, saying, “You know the words — help me out here.” She went on to sing few verses of the patriotic song with the help from the crowd.
Underwood received reassurance after the song ended from former President Joe Biden, who mouthed “great job” as Underwood shook his hand. She then greeted President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
The awkward silent moment, during which Underwood waited for music to play, lasted for nearly a minute. At one point, a track started but then quickly cut out.
After the incident, “Today” host Savannah Guthrie weighed in during NBC’s broadcast.
“We just have to mention an unplanned part of the ceremony that took place a few moments ago. There was a pause right before Carrie Underwood was meant to sing. It seems as though there was some kind of problem with the accompaniment of the band that was supposed to play along with her,” Guthrie told viewers. “So yes, spontaneously she sang a cappella with a few scattered voices.”
The star spoke about her decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration in a statement to The Post last Monday.
“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 at the time. “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.”
Underwood has not revealed whether she voted for Trump in the 2016, 2020 or 2024 elections. She has previously said she tried to remain publicly apolitical.
“I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins,” she told the Guardian in 2019.
“It’s crazy,” she added. “Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
Trump’s inauguration featured two other musical acts in addition to Underwood. Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA” and opera singer Christopher Macchio belted out the national anthem.
