Over the years, there have been countless national anthem mistakes, frequently at sporting events. But it’s not just sporting events where that can go wrong. Sometimes, it’s at political debates.
On Wednesday, public access channel CSPAN televised a Free and Equal Elections Foundation debate from Los Angeles with presidential candidates Chase Oliver (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green), and Randall Terry (Constitution). But, because Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris did not participate (they were both invited), the event didn’t get a ton of attention at the time. On Saturday, though, it got a second life on X.
That was thanks to CSPAN communications director Howard Mortman posting video of singer Loomis’ national anthem. It included her missing her mark on “The rocket’s red glare,” immediately saying “I f***ed that up, I f***ed that up, can I go back, can I go back, please,” being told “You can’t. We’re live,” and then having to continue on from there.
“I F—ed it up. I F—ed it up. Can I go back. Can go back, please.”
“You can’t. We’re live”
— National Anthem pic.twitter.com/HR3ikojfGc
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) October 26, 2024
Honestly, that’s a better outcome than many of the other anthem mishaps over the years, whether it’s Ingred Andress being all over with her pitch at this year’s MLB Home Run Derby (which came with a more serious coda), or the member of The Tenors who changed the Canadian anthem lyrics to work in “All lives matter” at the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, or Vegas lounge singer Dennis KC Parks using the “O Christmas Tree” melody in 1993 (although that one has a happier ending, even eventually leading to his marriage). But it’s hilarious to see the combination of an anthem mishap and a “thought we weren’t live” mishap.
[Howard Mortman on X]
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.