Jesus, take the wheel.
Carrie Underwood had a quick response to the technical difficulties leading up to her performance at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.
The 41-year-old “American Idol” winner was scheduled to sing the song “America the Beautiful” at the ceremony held inside the US Capitol, accompanied by the Armed Forces Choir and the US Naval Academy Glee Club. However, she was ultimately left without a band or a musical score.
The moment Underwood learned the bad news was caught on camera. In a clip from the concert posted on social media, a person wearing headphones approaches the “Before He Cheats” singer as she waits for the music to start playing.
Upon apparently learning of the major hiccup, Underwood appears to ask, “Just sing?”
Then she adds: “I can just sing it.”
Then, chanting “Jesus, take the wheel,” she addressed the gathered guests, saying: “You know the words – help me here.” She continued singing some verses of the patriotic song with the help of the audience.
Underwood received reassurance after the song ended from former President Joe Biden, who said “great job” when Underwood shook his hand. She then received President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
The awkward moment of silence, during which Underwood waited for the music to play, lasted about a minute. At some point, the track started but then quickly cut off.
After the incident, “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie weighed in during the NBC broadcast.
“We just have to mention an unplanned part of the concert that took place a few moments ago. There was a pause before Carrie Underwood sang. It seemed as if there was some kind of problem with the accompaniment of the band she was supposed to be performing with,” Guthrie told viewers. “So, yes, she sang spontaneously a cappella with some scattered vocals.”
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 I am honored to be asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said at the time. “I am honored to answer this call at a time when we must all come together in a 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 previously said she tried to remain publicly apolitical.
“I try to stay as far away from politics as possible, at least in public, because no one wins,” she told The Guardian in 2019.
“It's crazy,” she added. “Everyone tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, as if it's black and white. And it's not.”
Trump's inauguration featured two other musical acts in addition to Underwood. Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the United States of America” and opera singer Christopher Macchio sang the national anthem.
