'I don't apologize': Toby Keith defends his decision to perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration... as Jennifer Holliday backs out with just days to go

  • Toby also said: 'I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barak] Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO'
  • On Saturday Holliday canceled plans to perform at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
  • The crooner said in a statement she apologized for her lapse of judgment

By Leeor Samocha For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:52 EST, 14 January 2017 | Updated: 19:08 EST, 14 January 2017

Event organizers announced on Friday that he will be among the artists who will take the stage on Thursday's Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.

And later that day, Toby Keith responded to critics of his decision to perform for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, the 55-year-old country singer defended his choice: 'I don't apologize for performing for our country or military.'

On Saturday Broadway star Jennifer Holliday backed out as a performer at the inaugural, saying she did not realize that her participation would be interpreted as a statement of support for Trump.

'I dont apologize:' Toby Keith, 55, responded to critics of his decision to perform for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Friday. He is pictured in April 2014

Toby also said continued: 'I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barak] Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.'

The Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue crooner will join 3 Doors Down, Lee Greenwood, Jennifer Holliday, The Piano Guys, the Frontmen of Country, and more on the celebration set to take place on January 19th at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The announcement adds some celebrity wattage after weeks of struggling to nail down star power to commemorate the president-elect's swearing-in.

Star power: Lee Greenwood is seen in March 2014 saluting the flag. His decision was met with mixed reactions on social media

All of the headliner's decisions were met with mixed reactions on social media.

A Twitter user wrote: 'We Love You and appreciate you Toby. Thanks for keeping the main thing the main thing (sic).'

Another shared: 'It's only right to have @TobyKeithMusic #MAGA as he is a great son of Oklahoma! The reddest state in the USA.'

Others felt quite differently, with one user posting: 'Toby Keith what a disappointment you are!' and another, 'Toby Keith just got on my Sh*t List! Boycott his music!'

All American: Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down will take the stage on Thursday's event

Holliday, best known for her Tony-winning role in Broadway's Dreamgirls, faced pressure from her gay, lesbian and black fans when it was announced she would sing at a Thursday concert.

The crooner said in a statement Saturday that she apologized for her lapse of judgment, for being uneducated on the issues and causing heartbreak for her fans.

When Holliday's decision was announced to sing, the star faced an immediate backlash from critics urging a boycott of her music, calling her an 'Uncle Tom' and saying her career was over.

Holliday, who supported Hillary Clinton in the election, responded: 'It just really made my heart drop to my feet.

'How could I have this much hate spewing at me, and I haven't even done anything? 

Backlash: Jennifer Holliday's dropped out of the event on Saturday. Pictured July

'I guess it's not like those old days when political views were your own and you had freedom of speech.

'We live in a different time now and a decision to go and do something for America is not so clear-cut anymore.' 

Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee has said: 'President-elect Trump has made it clear that this inaugural is of, by, and for the American people.'

MAGA: President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in to office on Friday, January 20

'The 58th Inaugural will celebrate American history and heritage, while setting the course to a brighter and bolder future for all Americans.

'Above all, it will serve as tribute to one of our greatest attributes, the peaceful transition of partisan power.

'As Abraham Lincoln said, "when an election is over, it is altogether fitting a free people that until the next election they should be one people."

'We will be one people working together, leading together, and making America great again, together.'

 

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