The Liberty Inaugural Ball, part of Donald Trump’s triumphant return to the presidency as the 47th Commander-in-Chief, saw its share of glitz, glamor—and an unforgettable, if awkward, performance by country icon Billy Ray Cyrus.
The 63-year-old singer, best known for his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” took the stage Monday night to entertain a crowd of high-profile guests, including President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance. But what was meant to be a celebratory moment quickly turned into an evening of confusion and cringe.
A Rocky Start
Cyrus began his set with his and Lil Nas X’s chart-topping hit “Old Town Road.” The performance hit a snag when his guitar abruptly stopped working.
“Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off,” Cyrus said, addressing the stage crew with increasing frustration. “I don’t hear my guitar anymore. Do y’all hear this?”
Attempts to resolve the issue didn’t go smoothly. A stage technician appeared to assist, but Cyrus declared the instrument “dead” and handed it off.
Improvisation Gone Awry
Without a functioning guitar, Cyrus asked the audience to snap their fingers as he launched into an a cappella rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart.” The result was a performance many described as painfully awkward.
“Y’all want me to sing more, or should I just get the hell off the stage? I don’t give a damn,” Cyrus quipped in frustration.
As the performance wound down, the lights dimmed, but Cyrus lingered on stage, visibly disoriented, until someone escorted him off.
Audience Reactions
Fans and critics alike flooded social media with reactions.
- “Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at the Liberty Ball was a trainwreck. What happened out there?” one viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter).
- “Was he sick? Drunk? Both? Either way, that was hard to watch,” another wrote.
- Some took a more lighthearted view: “Well, at least the audience got a story to tell. Epic disaster or epic entertainment?”
Support from the Stars
Carrie Underwood, who also faced technical challenges earlier in the day, offered a masterclass in composure. When her music cut out during a performance of “America the Beautiful” in the Capitol Rotunda, the 41-year-old country star invited the crowd to sing along.
“You know the words—help me out here,” she said, earning applause for her poise.
Afterward, Underwood received warm praise from both former President Joe Biden, who mouthed, “Great job,” and President Trump, who shook her hand.
Star-Studded Event
The Liberty Ball was part of a multi-day celebration featuring performances from an eclectic lineup, including Kid Rock, the Village People, Jason Aldean, and opera singer Christopher Macchio.
President Trump and his supporters took the evening in stride, focusing on the broader success of the celebrations. “This country is back on track,” Trump said in a brief address to attendees. “And we’re having fun doing it!”
What’s Next for Cyrus?
The Post reached out to Cyrus’ representatives for comment but has yet to receive a response. Whether the performance will go down as a rare misstep or a viral moment of infamy remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: at Trump’s Liberty Ball, even the missteps make headlines.
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Billy Ray doing an impersonination of Jokementia Bribery?
Why are people so mean and judging. He’s been a great entertainer for many years. Things happen. You don’t think he felt bad that his guitar wasn’t working right. He was honored to be performing for President Trump. I was happy he was performing. Our life would be so much better and less stressful if people would stop the hate and be a little compassionate for people. I know that I want that in my life. Thanks Billy Ray for performing for our President, you are a country icon! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸