Jewel Speaks Out on 2025 Trump Presidential Inauguration Controversy

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Jewel is speaking out about recent criticism.

After receiving backlash for performing at one of President Donald Trump’s 2025 Inauguration balls, the “Who Will Save Your Soul” singer provided some insight into her decision to attend the “Make America Healthy Again” event, which was honoring the politician’s nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I, as many of you know, I am a mental health advocate,” Jewel explained in a video shared to her Instagram Jan. 24. “If there's anything that I've learned in the past 20 years, it's that mental health affects everybody's lives across party lines.”

In fact, the 50-year-old—who sang a cover of Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the Jan. 16 ball—shared that she previously made an effort to work with former President Joe Biden as part of her advocacy, saying, “I reached out to the last administration, spoke with the surgeon general about the mental health crisis that's facing our nation.”

“I believe that there are things that we can do to save lives,” Jewel continued. “I believe I can help. And if I believe I can help, I have to try. And if I wait to try until I agree 100 percent with the people that might be willing to help me, I'd never get off the bench.”

And the “You Were Meant for Me” singer—who co-founded the Inspiring Children Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk youth in Las Vegas using holistic mental health resources—emphasized the urgency of the issues she’s advocating for.

“It's actually because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engage and to participate,” she said, “and we have to act now. We cannot wait another four years.”

Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images

And while Jewel stood firm in her decision to sing at Trump’s Presidential Inauguration—which also featured performances from Carrie Underwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean and The Village People—she also apologized to anyone who was hurt by that choice.

“Half of our country feels hope right now, and I honor that, and half of our country feels disenfranchised and scared and vulnerable, and that is unacceptable,” she said. “I am so sorry that I caused pain, especially in my LGBTQIA+ community, because you guys are treasures. You make the world a better place. You've made my life a better place.”

Jewel added, “None of us can afford to stop fighting, and I really believe that the only way we change is in relationship. It isn't in isolation or by isolating.”

To see more stars who showed out for the 2025 Inauguration, keep reading.

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

The couple stepped out in black-and-white attire at the Commander-in-Chief Ball Jan. 20 after the swearing-in ceremony.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance

Usha sparkled in a blue strapless gown alongside Trump's second in command.

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Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner

The pair were side-by-side during the Jan. 20 event, also sporting matching black-and-white ensembles.

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Donald Trump Jr. and Kai Trump