Actress and activist Yvette Nicole Brown didn’t hold back in a recent interview, where she expressed her strong views on the upcoming performers at Donald Trump’s inauguration. For Brown, stepping onto that stage isn’t just a gig—it’s a statement.
Yvette Nicole Brown dismissed the idea that participating in the event could be seen as neutral regarding politics. She emphasized Trump’s track record of contentious statements regarding women and minorities, noting that his polarizing actions and language cannot merely be overlooked or separated from the discussion.
“If someone really didn’t want to be associated with him, then they wouldn’t even consider showing up for Trump, despite the importance of the office,” she told TMZ Live.
Donald Trump, the president-elect, is set to take the oath of office on January 20. Unlike his initial inauguration in 2017, which allegedly had difficulties securing notable performers, this year’s inaugural events will feature several prominent artists.
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee announced the lineup, confirming that Underwood will participate in the official swearing-in ceremony on Monday, marking Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Underwood is scheduled to perform “America the Beautiful” on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, with tenor Christopher Macchio also set to sing the national anthem, and Greenwood is expected to perform as well.
Yvette Nicole Brown argues that Trump has revealed his true nature, and if anyone genuinely wanted to distance themselves from him, they wouldn’t even think about appearing with him, regardless of the significance of the position. She highlighted Trump’s track record of contentious statements regarding women and individuals of color, noting that his polarizing actions and language cannot be overlooked or separated.
This perspective comes amid growing debates surrounding the artists who’ve agreed to perform. While the Village People defended their participation by saying, “Music is to be performed without regard to politics,” Kid Rock compared his appearance at Trump’s inauguration to his attendance at Barack Obama’s in 2009, despite not supporting Obama politically.
The actress, however, strongly disagrees with this comparison, viewing it as dismissive of the deeper implications of Trump’s presidency. “It’s not the same,” she argued, emphasizing that the context of Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric makes performing at his inauguration a tacit endorsement.
Yvette Nicole Brown also stood in solidarity with former First Lady Michelle Obama, who decided to skip the inauguration altogether.