On Sunday night, as he prepared for Inauguration Day, President-elect Donald Trump concluded his last victory rally. At this point, he invites the Village People to join him onstage for a performance of their energetic disco classic and some dancing.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump ended more than 110 rallies by performing his distinctive exit dance—a trembling hip-hop routine accompanied by a closed-fist arm punch—to the popular song “Y.M.C.A.”
A number of celebrities, sports, and social media users have joined the jig, which has become known as the “Trump Dance,” in what some have described as the most popular craze since Trump’s 2024 presidential victory.
While his followers went wild in celebration of Trump’s sometimes drawn-out speeches full of promises he intended to deliver to his forthcoming government, Trump would occasionally be seen hurling points to the audience, waving, or even taking a golf swing.
As the words “there’s no need to feel down… pick yourself off the ground” echoed through the Capital One Area in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, the audience went absolutely bonkers, bopping along with excitement.
During the Village People’s infectious choreographed performance, Trump danced his signature move to the music.
As Trump’s campaign came to a finish, supporters waved placards, raised their palms to the crucial letters, and roared.
To further celebrate Trump’s catchphrase, some even altered Y.M.C.A. to M.A.G.A.
Although Trump and the Village People have a complicated history, the president-elect included the band’s classic “Macho Man” on his playlist.
The group had previously sent a letter to Trump requesting that he stop using their material during his rallies. In the future, the band will be playing at several Trump inaugural events throughout the weekend.
No matter your political leanings, you have the right to do the YMCA dance, and our music is inclusive, as the band has previously said on Facebook.
“Having said that, we certainly don’t endorse his use as we’d prefer our music be kept out of politics.”
The ‘Trump dance’ starts in 2020, when Trump attempted to highlight his recovery from his COVID-19 diagnosis by doing a few shimmy shakes at a rally in Florida.
Along with Carrie Underwood, who will be playing during Trump’s swearing-in on Inauguration Day, the Village People will be joining a star-studded list of performers for Trump’s last victory rally.
