On a cold night in Washington DC, Bruce Springsteen was alone on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall with only a guitar and microphone. The Boss had the honor to kick-start the final event of a busy opening day and did so by announcing that he was there to sing “Land of Hope and Dreams”, a song with lyrics that many hope to mirror that moment in American history.
“Leave your sadness behind,” sang Springsteen. “May this day be the last. Tomorrow there will be sunlight, and all that darkness will have passed. Large wheels roll through the fields where sunlight flows. Meet me in a land of hope and dreams.”
So it started America United, a 90-minute production produced by Glenn Kirshner and directed by Glenn Weiss (leader of the virtual Emmys and National Democratic Convection) which featured a number of renowned artists and actors, all in the name of celebrating President Joe Biden’s new administration and vice president Kamala Harris. Presented by Tom Hanks, the star-studded program was a marked shift from President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump regularly and violently attacked Hollywood stars, especially A-listers and award winners, while telling a fanatic Tinseltown fanbase of his own thanks, in part, to names like Jon Voight, Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson and Kid Rock.
With Trump now out of DC and living at his resort in Mar-a-Lago, it is clear that Hollywood stars are once again welcomed into the White House and, perhaps just as importantly, eager to make every effort for an administration democrat. But Wednesday night’s show was far from an elite event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a traditional black tie ball, usually a difficult invitation to mark, was replaced by a television program for the masses that allowed the country to celebrate as a united audience.
America United was broadcast live on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS, as well as streaming on PIC’s social media channels and partner platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, Fox’s NewsNOW, AT&T U-verse and DIRECTV . With America United, the Inaugural Presidential Committee ended five days of programming that included events for National Service Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a touching COVID-19 tribute to 400,000 lives lost, this morning’s official opening ceremony and Tony Goldwyn- hosted virtual Across America Parade.
The purpose of America United it was to “show the resilience, heroism and unified commitment of the American people to come together as a nation to heal and rebuild,” according to the Inaugural Presidential Committee. These themes reverberated in almost every segment, from interstitials featuring everyday heroes and frontline workers to musical hymns performed in various cities across a wide range of acts and musical genres, including John Legend, Bon Jovi (from Miami), Justin Timberlake with Ant Clemons (from Memphis), Yo-Yo Ma, Tyler Hubbard with Tim McGraw (from Nashville), Foo Fighters (from Seattle), Demi Lovato (from LA), Black Pumas (from Austin) and a medley with Broadway stars, among others.
After Springsteen, Hanks, who appeared to be cold as temperatures in DC hovered around 30 degrees, made a brief introduction. Although Trump was never mentioned by name, his legacy impacted the script. “In recent weeks, and in recent years, we have witnessed deep divisions and a worrying grudge on our land, but tonight, we reflect on the United States of America, the practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our Constitution , the hope and dreams that we all share for a more perfect union, ”said the Oscar winner. “The inauguration day is much more than the oath of our next national leaders. This day is to witness the permanence of our American ideals.”
Hanks then announced that memorable passages from previous presidents would be shared while he appointed Franklin D. Roosevelt to unite the American people; John F. Kennedy, who inspired a new generation to serve; Ronald Reagan, who spoke of a peaceful transition of power during his farewell speech, which included the familiar phrase “city shining on a hill”; and Abraham Lincoln, who worked to unite the country after the war.
The Hollywood Reporter columnist Kareem Abdul Jabbar recited Lincoln’s words, Dolores Huerta offered FDR’s and MLB’s first female general manager, Kim Ng, handled Reagan’s speech. This left Kennedy’s remarks to a young student named Brayden Harrington, 13. He made headlines last year after meeting with Biden during the campaign, during which Biden comforted him when he learned that they both shared the same struggle of trying to overcome stuttering. The New York Times reported tonight that Harrington is now writing a book, Brayden speaks loudly, for HarperCollins.
Other recognizable faces emerged during the everyday hero segments, people who received media attention or went viral for their philanthropic efforts or, simply, for doing their job well. There was UPS driver Anthony Gaskin, who was honored by a neighborhood on his route to Virginia for his unwavering dedication; Cavanaugh Bell, from Maryland, 8, who made food packages for the elderly and opened a food pantry; kindergarten teacher Mackenzie Adams of Glenwood Elementary School in Washington, who went viral for videos of her stimulating remote classes; Sarah Fuller of Texas, the first woman to play and score on a college football team Power Five; Morgan Marsh-McGlone, 8, from Wisconsin started a virtual lemonade stand that raised more than $ 50,000; the famous chef José Andrés, who collected large donations of meals through his World Central Kitchen; and Sandra Lindsay of New York, director of intensive care at Northwell Health who became the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.
Biden and Harris made separate comments while standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The president appeared first and said the experience was humble with respect to Lincoln and the “position we now share”. He reiterated the remarks made earlier in the day, saying that democracy, while precious, once again prevailed. He acknowledged the challenges facing the American people, from the pandemic to climate change, but said he was more optimistic now than ever.
“This is a great nation. We are a good people. And to overcome the challenges that lie ahead, we need the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity. It requires us to unite in the common love that defines us as Americans. : Opportunity, freedom, dignity and respect. And unite against common enemies: Hatred, violence, disease and despair, “said Biden. “The question is, are we ready for this? Are we going to face the moment as our ancestors? I believe we should, and I believe we will.”
Harris later came on the show, after an introduction by football player Fuller. She said the current moment and its challenges require courage to look beyond the crisis. “In many ways, this moment embodies our character as a nation. Demonstrates who we are. Even in dark times, we not only dream, but we do. We not only see what was, we see what can be. the moon, and then we plant our flag on it. We are bold, fearless and ambitious. We are not afraid of our belief that we will win, that we will rise, ”said Harris, referring several times to the American“ aspiration ”. “A great experiment requires great determination. The willingness to get the job done and then the wisdom to refine, tweak and improve. The same determination is being made in America today.”
There is no doubt that the Biden-Harris government has a difficult road ahead to repair the damage caused by four years of division. However, they can count on former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The trio appeared together during a recorded segment and each offered good luck to the new administration. Again, Trump was not mentioned by name, but his impact was felt in the fact that he broke the tradition by not attending today’s opening events.
Said Bush: “I think the fact that the three of us are here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks about the institutional integrity of our country. America is a generous country, people with big hearts. All three of us were lucky enough to be the president of this country. “
“One of my best memories of the inauguration,” said Obama, for whom Biden served as vice president, “was the grace and generosity that President Bush showed me, and Laura Bush showed Michelle.” He ended his comments by offering his support. “Joe, I’m proud of you, and you and Kamala need to know that all of us here are rooting for your success, keeping you in our prayers, and we will be available in every way we can as citizens to help guide our country forward. . We wish you the best of luck. “
Other highlights from the fast-paced show included Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria; Lin-Manuel Miranda reciting The Cure at Troy by Seamus Heaney and ending the last line in unison with Biden, who was joined at the end; a group of Broadway stars performing a medley of Love seasons and Let the sun in; a mini Pass the microphone moment with DJ Cassidy that featured Ozuna and Luis Fonsi; an exciting interpretation of Kind day Demi Lovato; Moving cover of John Legend’s Feeling good; and Florida Georgia Line star Tyler Hubbard, in partnership with country star Tim McGraw on the original track Undivided. The latter performance was also notable because Hubbard and his FGL collaborator Brian Kelley are working on solo material amid rumors of a political split.
Then came the real stopper of the show. With less than five minutes to enter America United, the producers played the show as if it were the fourth of July, handing the closing tasks to global pop superstar Katy Perry. Dressed all in white, Perry sang his hit “Firework” with the Washington Monument in sight. As she sang hit # 1, DC’s sky lit up with a colorful display of fireworks.
Minutes later, with the smoke from the huge fireworks display still hanging high in the air, Hanks summed up the night and congratulated America’s top officers for the last time. “This was a unique historic opening day. Again, congratulations to President Biden and Vice President Harris.