Rocker Bruce Springsteen and Grammy-winning singer John Legend are among the growing list of high-profile leftist celebrities scheduled to perform during the inauguration of Joe Biden, which will air on all major networks on January 20.
Major networks, including CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CBS and PBS will carry what was announced as prime time “Celebrating America” on January 20 – the day President-elect Joe Biden will take office as 46th president of the United States.
According to the organizers of the special, the All of Me singer and Born in the USA crooner will appear in “iconic locations across the country”. Biden’s inaugural committee said the presentations throughout the night “will represent the rich diversity and great talent that America offers, and the American heroes who are helping their countrymen in this crisis.”
Others, including Jon Bon Jovi, Ant Clemons, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and the Foo Fighters are expected to appear during the special, which actor Tom Hanks is due to perform. It is expected to start at 8:30 East. President-elect Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris are expected to comment during the special.
In addition, Lady Gaga, a vocal supporter of Biden, and Jennifer Lopez, are expected to appear in person, with the “Born This Way” singer performing the national anthem at Biden’s inauguration. J. Lo is also scheduled to perform.
Biden’s inauguration, which will take place earlier that day, will be relatively unconventional, with a drastically smaller audience and a virtual parade in place of a traditional event. However, officials and Democrats, specifically, argue that the changes are mainly due to concerns about the coronavirus, rather than protests that took place at the U.S. Capitol last week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said on Friday that the inauguration will “always” be small.
“Now, with last week’s uprising, security requires more security, but the nature of the oath has not changed,” Pelosi told reporters. “I think it’s important for people to know that. This is not a concession to terrorists. It is an acknowledgment of the danger of COVID. “