Carrie Underwood, the famous country singer known for her powerful voice and hits like “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” was one of the stars at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. She was invited to sing “America the Beautiful” in front of a large audience and did a great job. But while she sang beautifully, one moment after the performance got people talking. It wasn’t about her singing—it was about a handshake.
After Carrie finished her song, she stood by the stage, waiting to meet the political leaders. Carrie had just performed in the Capitol Rotunda, which was moved indoors because it was freezing cold outside. As she smiled and shook hands with some people around her, a moment stood out to everyone watching. Carrie shook hands with Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and Vice President J.D. Vance. But when it came time to shake Kamala Harris’ hand, the video showed Carrie not extending her hand.
— Mr. Pop (@MrPopOfficial) January 20, 2025
This caught the attention of viewers. Fans and critics alike were quick to react. Some people wondered why she didn’t shake Harris’ hand, especially since she had already shaken so many other hands.
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One of the first people to comment on the moment was a popular account on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Pop. He tweeted:
“Carrie Underwood snubbed Kamala Harris at the inauguration today when she skipped shaking her hand as she shook others around her. A much different statement from the one she gave about coming together and unity.”
Carrie Underwood snubbed Kamala Harris at the inauguration today when she skipped shaking her hand as she shook others around her.
A much different statement from the one she gave about coming together and unity. pic.twitter.com/r86L4ezUPo
— Mr. Pop (@MrPopOfficial) January 20, 2025
Other social media users quickly jumped in to share their thoughts. One person wrote, “Carrie Underwood really didn’t shake Kamala’s hand??? Wow, just wow.”
carrie underwood really didn’t shake kamala hand??? wow just wow
— coyote chan (@bbygrlcb) January 20, 2025
Another person said, “Carrie shaking everyone’s hand except Kamala’s just rubbed me the WRONG way 🙃.”
carrie underwood shaking everyone’s hand except kamala’s just rubbed me the WRONG way 🙃
— grace ✊🏾 (@pxpigrace) January 20, 2025
While the online reactions were strong, not everyone believed Carrie’s decision was intentional. Some fans defended her, saying people were reading too much into the situation. A person on X said, “Harris didn’t extend her hand, nor did Carrie. Not that deep.”
Harris didn’t extend her hand so neither did Carrie. Not thta deep
— Stephanie (@Absurd83) January 20, 2025
Others noted that Carrie didn’t shake Vice President J.D. Vance’s hand at first either. One fan pointed out, “She didn’t snub her. She shook both presidents’ hands and was looking to leave, but JD made eye contact with her, so she felt like she should shake his hand.”
This explanation makes sense. Sometimes, people don’t offer a handshake unless the other person does first. And sometimes, it’s just a simple decision at the moment—not something planned out.
Before the event, Carrie Underwood had spoken about how honored she was to perform at the inauguration. She said,
“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. 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.”
So, it does seem a bit strange that people would think Carrie was trying to make a political statement just by not shaking Kamala Harris’ hand. After all, Carrie had talked about unity and coming together. Still, no one knows for sure why Carrie didn’t shake Harris’ hand—it could have been a misunderstanding or simply a small moment that got blown out of proportion.
Featured image via Screengrab
