Politics

Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee releases performer line-up — ready for Dems to cancel

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee has released its lineup for the 60th Presidential Inauguration Weekend, which will celebrate the swearing-in of President-elect Donald Trump.

A few big names — and some less familiar — are on the list. It will no doubt delight Trump supporters while offering a list of performers Democrats will no doubt wish to boycott.

Eight-time Grammy Award-winning country music star Carrie Underwood will be the top performer during Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, singing “America the Beautiful.”

Underwood had already announced her performance at the inauguration in a statement this week, which received a barrage of critique from the President-elect’s critics. Underwood, typically mum on her political views, said she loves our country and is “honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.”

Underwood was “humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

Little is known of Underwood’s political views. In a 2019 interview with the Guardian, she said that she tries “to stay far out of politics” because “nobody wins,” according to Newsweek, which also reported that she had registered as a Republican in 2012. That same year, however, she came out in support of same-sex marriage, Newsweek reported.

Other big-name performers booked for inauguration weekend include The Village People, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, and known Trump supporter Kid Rock.

“The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee is proud to announce that some of our nation’s most iconic musicians will be participating in the inaugural celebrations. This monumental weekend will commemorate President Trump’s historic victory and the 60th Presidential Inauguration with a celebration of music, unity, and patriotism, ushering in America’s new Golden Age,” said co-Chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler.

The Village People, most famous for their disco anthem, “YMCA.” The band, perhaps ironically given the GOP’s history of opposition to LGBTQ rights, is most often affiliated with pro-LGBTQ sentiments. Last year, band frontman and lyricist Victor Willis said that “YMCA” was not a “gay anthem,” as many have suggested.

“There’s been a lot of talk, especially of late, that Y.M.C.A. is somehow a gay anthem,” Willis, who wrote the lyrics for the 1978 hit, said on Facebook at the time. “As I’ve said numerous times in the past, that is a false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay, and some (not all) of Village People were gay, and that the first Village People album was totally about gay life.”

The band will perform at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally and at The Liberty Ball.

Aldean’s inclusion in the programming should come as little surprise. About a year ago, he faced blowback over his song “Try That in a Small Town,” a response to anti-patriotic acts and protests. Aldean dedicated the song to Trump after the assassination attempt against him in July. Aldean will perform at the Liberty Ball.

Kid Rock, meanwhile, will perform at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally. The singer also performed at the Republican National Convention when Trump was officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

Rascal Flatts, a country music trio, will perform at the Commander-In-Chief Ball. This will be the second Trump inauguration celebration performance for the band’s lead vocalist, Gary LeVox. LeVox, guitarist Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney started the band in Nashville in 1999.

Cyrus, famous for his early 90s hit Achy Breaky Heart, will perform at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally. Cyrus’ daughter, Miley Cyrus, is a vocal Trump critic and publicly supported Trump’s General Election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Unsurprisingly, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood is in the weekend lineup. His most popular anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” is a staple at conservative events and rallies. According to The New York Times, the song has been blasted at GOP events for at least 40 years, and Trump frequently features it at his rallies. Greenwood will perform at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and the Make America Great Again Victory Rally.

Also performing at the swearing-in will be “America’s Tenor” Christopher Macchio, who will perform the National Anthem with the U.S. Marine Corps band orchestra and choir. He’s an opera singer from Long Island who studied classical voice at the Manhattan School of Music. He’s not among the biggest names in opera, but he caught Trump’s eye after his late brother, Robert, was reportedly a “big, big fan,” according to Vanity Fair.

Country music singer Parker McCollum, from Texas, will perform at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, while singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw, whose song “I Don’t Want to Be” became the main theme song for the CW drama One Tree Hill, will perform at The Starlight Ball.

Liberty University’s Praise Choir will perform at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally. Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian school in Virginia.

A “surprise musical guest” is also scheduled to perform at The Liberty Ball.

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Politics

Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

Published

3 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”

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Politics

Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

Published

4 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.

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Politics

Holland & Knight launches National Security & Defense Industry Group

Published

5 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic will lead the 100-person team.

Holland & Knight is launching a National Security & Defense Industry Group led by D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic.

The multinational law firm headquartered in Tampa said it’s taking on the new endeavor due to clients’ increasing demands amidst a complex national security landscape and rising global defense investments.

H&K expects the new practice will benefit from its already-established expertise in the defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology sectors. The 100-person team of practitioners led by Klitenic will cater to security and defense clients based the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

“To confront emerging global threats, our clients are continuing to create and fund the development of innovative defense solutions that support the U.S. and its allies around the world,” Klitenic said. “… Our team’s deep government connections in the U.S. and abroad, coupled with our firm’s established reputation for collaborating with government policymakers and operators on meaningful issues, enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of legal, political and operational issues in this space.”

Klitenic’s background includes serving as General Counsel to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Industry Group will also include former U.S. Intelligence Community members, high-ranking law enforcement officials and military veterans — Holland & Knight said the team’s diverse expertise will allow it to effectively navigate the intricacies of the national security landscape.

“In the many years that we have represented companies in the national defense and security sectors, we have built a substantial bench of premier practitioners across our geographic platform,” said Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig.

“We are excited to bring all of our global resources — comprising a unique mix of first-rate legal capabilities, a robust public policy and federal lobbying practice, and trusted relationships with U.S. government officials and foreign partners — under the umbrella of this new group. Together, this multidisciplinary team will continue to help our clients advance their strategic objectives.”

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