Opera vocalist Christopher Macchio delivered a powerful rendition of the national anthem at the conclusion of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Dressed in a midnight blue velvet jacket, dark trousers, and a white shirt without a tie, Macchio passionately sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” gripping the microphone in his left hand while many gathered in the Capitol Rotunda placed their hands over their hearts or stood with Trump in a salute.

Macchio skillfully navigated the more challenging sections of the iconic song, his powerful voice resonating over the music, with his eyes squinting during the song’s concluding notes.

After his performance, Macchio promptly turned to Trump, exchanged a handshake and smiled, then raised his fist in triumph as he exited from the presidential platform.

Getting to know Christopher Macchio, the national anthem singer

This Italian-American singer, who performs both solo and as part of the New York tenors, shares no relation to actor Ralph Macchio.

His connection with Trump dates back nearly ten years, starting when he stepped in at the last minute to perform at a New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago. Their bond deepened after Macchio sang at a memorial service for Trump’s brother, Robert, in 2020.

At 46 years old, Macchio also sang at the 2020 Republican National Convention, presenting his interpretations of “Nessun Dorma,” “Ave Maria,” and “God Bless America,” and he returned for another performance at the 2024 convention. Trump personally invited him to sing at his comeback rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, just three months following a foiled assassination attempt at that same location.

The Long Island native shared with Fox 5 New York that when he received the call informing him that he was Trump’s “first and only choice” for the national anthem, he exclaimed “yes” and pounded the marble countertop in his kitchen 20 times in excitement, stating, “I just aim to move people with my music.”

Macchio has released two albums, titled “Dolci Momenti” and “O Holy Night,” and in 2024, he made his acting debut portraying an Italian singer in the biopic “Cabrini.”