Donald J. Trump doesn’t just move the political needle—he moves the culture. Whether you love him or loathe him, there’s no denying his uncanny ability to shape trends.
Case in point: the “Trump dance.” You know the one—those awkwardly endearing, shoulder-shrugging moves that somehow feel both corny and oddly magnetic. What started as a quirky habit during his rallies has now transcended political events.
It has popped up on NFL fields, in viral TikTok videos, and even at UFC celebrations.
Yes, folks, it’s official: the Trump effect is so strong, it can turn a 70s disco track into a modern-day anthem.
Take the Village People’s YMCA, for instance. Long a staple of wedding receptions and retro-themed parties, the song has found new life thanks to Trump’s rallies. He plays it loud, he plays it proud, and he dances to it with an enthusiasm that’s hard to hate.
According to reports, Trump’s fondness for the tune catapulted it back to No. 1 on the charts—decades after its original release. Forget algorithms; all it takes is a few Trump rallies to revive a disco classic.
Village People founding member Victor Willis has said that if the group was asked by President-elect Donald Trump to perform the YMCA for him they would have to “seriously consider” it…
He added that if Trump asked for a live performance, the group would consider it for him, “Because the president-elect has done so much for ‘YMCA.’ and brought so much joy to so many people, the song has actually gone back to No. 1, and it’s still No. 1 today, so if he were to ask the Village People to perform the song live for him, we’d have to seriously consider it.” [Source: The Post Millennial]
But what do the Village People think about all this? Well, Victor Willis, one of the founding members, had a change of heart on Trump’s use of the song. At first, Willis wasn’t thrilled about YMCA being part of Trump’s political playlist.
However, he recently told Fox and Friends that he “decided to allow the president-elect’s continued use” of the song because Trump genuinely seems to enjoy it. Unlike other artists who scrambled to distance themselves from Trump’s rallies, Willis took a different approach: “He seemed to be bringing so much joy to the American people.”
And let’s face it—Trump’s dance moves bring joy, whether you’re laughing with him or at him. Willis even credited Trump with helping YMCA hit No. 1 again, a feat that few songs from 1978 could dream of in 2024. That’s cultural power, folks.
Still, Willis stopped short of fully endorsing Trump. When asked if the Village People would perform at a Trump event, Willis was diplomatic. He acknowledged the group would “seriously consider” a live performance if asked, given the joy Trump has brought to the song.
However, Willis also expressed concern about appearing to endorse Trump politically. In other words, they’re flattered but cautious—like being asked to dance at a wedding but not wanting to catch the bouquet.
It’s not just political rallies keeping the YMCA craze alive—it’s also the sports world. Trump’s signature dance has inspired athletes to break out similar moves in the NFL, UFC, and even soccer matches.
Imagine scoring a touchdown and celebrating with a move straight from a Trump rally. It’s happening. Love him or hate him, the man knows how to energize a crowd.
And then there’s social media, where the Trump dance has become its own phenomenon. TikTok users have turned it into a challenge, Instagram influencers are busting out the moves, and YouTube compilations of Trump’s rallies are racking up millions of views.
It’s proof that sometimes, cultural influence doesn’t require a Hollywood star or a Grammy—it just takes a former president who isn’t afraid to let loose.
Author: Kit Fargo
