Donald Trump‘s inauguration attracted several celebrities beyond the performance roster that was announced in advance of the event.
Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday included several influential names in the crowd who backed the president during his campaign.
First up is podcaster Joe Rogan, whose three-hour interview with Trump, and subsequent endorsement, was considered by some to be rather pivotal in boosting support among young men and undecided voters. Rogan received one of the select seats in the U.S. Capitol rotunda after the ceremony was moved indoors due to freezing temperatures and its capacity was drastically reduced.
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Rogan also posted a photo — presumably from the evening before — with Trump and Dana White, who was also at the inauguration. The UFC CEO has been a longtime supporter of Trump and spoke at the Republican National Convention this year.
Other celebrities spotted in the crowd were YouTubers, fighters and longtime Trump supporters Logan and Jake Paul.
The duo arrived with a former MMA fighter and Roadhouse remake star Conor McGregor. The inclusion of McGregor is unexpected, as McGregor has been lobbying for a boxing bout with Logan Paul.
Another influential podcaster and comedian, Theo Von, was also on hand. Like Rogan, Von interviewed Trump during the campaign. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was present, as well.
Another celebrity in attendance: Longtime Trump supporter and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner, who posted on X: “Just arrived in Washington DC to support our 47th POTUS! My second time at his inauguration and the excitement, energy, buzz, and joy around town is incredible! It’s electric! Even more so than 2017!!!”
One surprising name that made waves over the weekend was Snoop Dogg, who headlined the Crypto Ball event in D.C. The event was billed as a “celebratory setting intended to honor … America’s first ‘crypto president,’ President-elect Donald J. Trump.” The performance drew scorn among some in the media and on social, with one calling the the rapper’s performance “culturally embarrassing and disrespectful asf.” In a resurfaced video from 2016, Snoop Dogg wondered which artist was going to be the first to perform for Trump during his first inauguration and declared that he would “roast” whoever did. But in 2021, Snoop Dogg thanked Trump for pardoning Michael “Harry O” Harris, who helped found Death Row Records
As expected, country star Carrie Underwood sang “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration. Underwood overcame an awkward moment when the backing music wouldn’t play, and instead performed an a cappella rendition. “If you know the words, help me out here,” Underwood said, and then launched into the song:
