Trump Ends MAGA Victory Rally With ‘Y.M.C.A.’ Dance With The Village People

Donald Trump closed his pre-inauguration rally in Washington, D.C., with a spirited performance of “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People, solidifying the song’s association with the MAGA campaign. The event, held just a day before his swearing-in, featured a live rendition of the 1978 disco anthem, with Trump joining in, pumping his fists and swaying to the beat alongside the band.

For years, “Y.M.C.A.” has been a staple at Trump rallies, often accompanying his signature fist-pumping dance. However, the song has a complex history, with roots deeply tied to the LGBTQ community. The band drew inspiration from the New York City gay club scene, and the track eventually became an anthem for the community.

Multiple members of the band’s original lineup identified as queer, but Victor Willis, the lead singer and the band’s sole remaining original member, is straight. In December, he wrote on Facebook that it’s a “false assumption” to consider the song a gay anthem, even calling it “defamatory” to label it as such.

Willis also addressed the backlash over the band’s decision to perform at Trump’s events. Although he emphasized that their performances do not endorse Trump’s policies, he expressed a belief that music should be shared across political lines, even as his band faced criticism for performing at an event tied to a president whose stance on LGBTQ rights has been controversial.

Willis took to Facebook on Thursday to write, “Let’s see what he’s going to do moving forward, and if he does things to restrict LGBTQ rights, Village People will be the first to speak out.”

In the past, Village People’s relationship with Trump wasn’t so friendly. In 2020, they issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that he stop using their songs at his rallies, citing complaints from their fans. However, in light of many artists withdrawing their music from Trump’s campaign, Willis reversed his stance, allowing the continued use of their songs.

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