Did Ariana Grande Just Shade Carrie Underwood's Performance at Trump's Inauguration?

On Sunday, January 20th, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States during a grand ceremony at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Unlike his first inauguration in 2017, which famously struggled to attract major performers, this year’s event boasted a lineup of notable names, including Village People, Kid Rock, and Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood, the beloved country music star, took the stage to perform "America the Beautiful." Known as a country sweetheart, her inclusion in the Republican president’s inauguration caused disappointment among some fans, given Trump’s divisive political record.

However, the controversy didn’t end there.

Before Underwood’s performance, technical difficulties struck—the soundtrack for her rendition failed to play. The "Before He Cheats" singer, unfazed, announced to the audience, "I can just sing it," and proceeded to deliver an acapella version of the patriotic song. The impromptu performance drew mixed reactions on X (formerly Twitter), with some applauding her professionalism and others critiquing her vocals.

But the story took another turn after the inauguration. Pop superstar Ariana Grande seemingly entered the conversation by liking a post that poked fun at Underwood’s vocal performance. The post referenced a famous drag queen moment from RuPaul’s Drag Race, where Cece Montrose shaded a fellow contestant, saying, "Girl, find the note."

Check out the reference of the meme here!

The subtle social media interaction left fans divided. Was it a harmless gesture or a deliberate dig at Underwood? Some interpreted Grande’s like as a lighthearted acknowledgment of the meme, while others viewed it as unnecessary shade.

Underwood’s acapella rendition became a hot topic of debate. While her ability to carry on despite technical issues earned her praise, people online questioned whether she truly "found the note" during the performance.

Carrie Underwood’s performance at Trump’s inauguration might have garnered mixed reactions. Some were grateful somebody 'pulled the plug' on the her performance while others thought she sounded 'like an angel.'

Regardless of how she sounded live, it became one of the most talked-about moments of the day. Add Ariana Grande’s social media like into the mix, and it’s clear that this event has solidified its place in internet lore.

What do you think—was Underwood’s performance a triumph or a stumble?