Village People Founder Weighs Performing Y.M.C.A. at Trump Inauguration

Victor Willis, co-founder of the Village People and co-writer of the disco classic “Y.M.C.A.,” has weighed in on whether the group would consider performing their iconic song at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. Speaking on Fox & Friends First Thursday, Willis acknowledged Trump’s role in reigniting the song’s popularity, turning it into a cultural sensation decades after its release.

The 1978 hit became a staple at Trump campaign rallies, with the president-elect famously dancing to the track during events. The enthusiasm spread as supporters, athletes, and even stadium crowds adopted the dance, propelling the song back to the top of the Billboard charts nearly 46 years after its debut.

“If you were to ask me today if the Village People would perform at the inauguration, I would probably say not, because we’d be concerned about endorsement,” Willis said. However, he added, “because the president-elect has done so much for ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and brought so much joy to so many people, the song has actually gone back to No. 1 … so if he were to ask the Village People to perform the song live for him, we’d have to seriously consider it.”

Willis admitted that he initially condemned Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies in 2020, but his perspective shifted as he saw the joy it brought to supporters. “I decided to allow the president-elect’s continued use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ because he seems to genuinely, genuinely like the song,” Willis said.

He contacted Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to ensure Trump could continue using the track, standing out in contrast to other artists who have objected to their music being played at Trump events. “So many other artists were stopping him from using their music,” Willis noted.

Willis also took the opportunity to address long-standing misconceptions about “Y.M.C.A.” being a “gay anthem.” In a previous Facebook post, the singer clarified that the lyrics were inspired by his personal interpretation of the Young Men’s Christian Association and were rooted in 1970s black slang.

“When I say, ‘hang out with all the boys,’ that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging out together for sports, gambling, or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that,” Willis explained.

While Willis expressed reservations about performing at the inauguration, he also acknowledged the financial and cultural resurgence that Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.” has brought to the Village People. Whether they take the stage at Trump’s inauguration or not, the group’s enduring hit remains a surprising and pivotal feature of America’s current cultural moment.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on culture and entertainment.