Billy Ray Cyrus Responds to Backlash to Trump Inauguration

Broken and painful guitar.

Billy Ray Cyrus opened up about his scenic performance at one of Donald Trump’s inaugural balls on Monday, saying his gear went “to hell.”

The “I’m So Miserable” singer, 63, suffered an onstage debacle after suffering several technical issues during his set at the Trump Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. The disastrous performance was pilloried on social media as an “epic disaster.”

Despite the criticism and technical difficulties, Cyrus struck an upbeat tone Tuesday, saying he “had a great time.”

“I would not have missed the honor of participating in this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me,” Cyrus wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday.

“I had a great time at the Liberty Ball last night and I’ve learned over all these years, when the producer says, ‘Here we go,’ you’re going to entertain people even if the equipment goes to hell.”

Cyrus added: “I was there for the people and we had a great time. It’s called rock n roll!!!

Cyrus’ performance hit its first slowdown when he began singing his and Lil Nas X’s hit “Old Town Road,” complaining to the Liberty Ball stage crew that his guitar wasn’t working.

“Is my guitar still on?” I think they interrupted me. I can’t hear my guitar anymore,” he says into the microphone.

“Check. Is anyone awake? I can’t hear it. Do you all hear that? Where is everyone? he continued. “Check. Is there anyone there? Can someone turn my guitar back on? We’re going to sing a little more.

Cyrus became increasingly agitated, saying, “Do you all want me to sing more or do you just want me to get off stage?” I don’t care.

“In life, when you have technical difficulties, you have to continue, or as President Trump would say, ‘you have to fight,'” he added.

A technician eventually arrived on scene and attempted to repair the guitar, but to no avail. Cyrus told the crew member that the instrument was “dead” before giving up, handed him the guitar and told the crowd to “snap your fingers.”

The Grammy winner then sang an a cappella version of “Achy Breaky Heart” accompanied by the audience as people followed suit.

But the embarrassment doesn’t stop there. Cyrus didn’t immediately leave the stage when he finished his set and the lights went down. Instead, he wandered around capriciously before someone escorted him.

Social media quickly erupted as commenters lambasted the incident.

“Oh my God! Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball is an epic disaster,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Looks like Billy Ray Cyrus had A LOT more than just TECHNICAL PROBLEMS at the Liberty Ball right now,” someone else said.

“So embarrassed for Billy Ray Cyrus right now…” another person commented.

Cyrus’ technical difficulties came after Carrie Underwood faced audio issues of her own earlier in the day while attempting to sing “America the Beautiful” at Trump’s inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.

The “American Idol” winner was also forced to sing a cappella after a problem arose with her backing track.