On December 22nd, a press release stated that the Radio City Rockettes will perform at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20th. Also performing at the eventThe The Rockettes add a bigger name to the underwhelming host of other performers. There was speculation that they could not find bigger names who have performed for the likes of President Barack Obama to agree to perform. A "Freedom" concert is supposedly being planned in Miami featuring names such as John Legend, the cast of Hamilton, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and others. Donald Trump stated in a tweet on December 22nd: "The so-called 'A' list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!"

There is question over whether they are being forced to perform. Not long after their participation was announced, Rockette Phoebe Pearl began the discussion when she stated in an Instagram post that she later deleted:

I usually don’t use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion. Finding out that it has been decided for us that Rockettes will be performing at the Presidential inauguration makes me feel embarrassed and disappointed. The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we’re against is appalling. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident

The union that represents the Rockettes ruled a boycott of the inauguration to be invalid, claiming the dancers "are not full time, [do not] not have to sign up to do this work. If you are full time, you are obligated." The Madison Square Garden Company, which manages the Rockettes, claimed that a Rockette must sign up to be considered to perform at an event, and that they "had more Rockettes request to participate than [they] have slots available."

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is also set to perform at the inauguration, as they have for five inaugurations in the past. Mormons are more likely to vote Republican, but this election saw a 20% drop of Republican votes compared to the past two elections. A spokesman for the LDS Church acknowledged the controversy over their forthcoming performance and stated that "[it] is not an implied support of party affiliations or politics. It is a demonstration of our support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power."

George Takei noted in a tweet that "The members of the Rockettes and the Mormon Tabernacle are like all of us: Forced to go along with something horrible they didn't choose." Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by a difference of 2,864,974, but not the Electoral College vote. Other Twitter users have posted pictures of Nazis and North Korean soldiers with their legs in the air as Rockettes do, with the caption as something along the lines of "The Rockettes at Trump's Inauguration."

Needless to say, this inauguration will go down in history, both in books and memes.