The Unexpected Anthem: How “YMCA” Resonated with Donald Trump’s Journey

In light of the declaration that the Village People will perform at numerous forthcoming inauguration events, what is it about their songs that resonates with the President-elect?

YMCA by the Village People is an upbeat disco anthem inviting young working-class males to connect with similar individuals at Young Men’s Christian Association lodges. It has been interpreted as a tribute to the pleasures of finding romantic encounters there – it features on an album named Cruisin’ – and it was first showcased by a troupe of muscular dancers donned in whimsical attire with moustaches. Thus, it is hardly unexpected that the tune has been tightly linked to the LGBTQ+ community since its launch in 1978. What may be surprising, however, is its now-strong connection with US President-elect Donald Trump.

YMCA can be heard repeatedly at Make America Great Again rallies and Mar-a-Lago fundraising events, with Trump often dancing as his followers sing along. And now this connection is set to deepen. It was revealed this week that the Village People will indeed be performing at various inauguration festivities: Trump is also an admirer of another one of their tracks, Macho Man. In a political trajectory rich with ironies and inconsistencies, this one must rank among the most notable.

YMCA was co-created by its French producer, Jacques Morali, alongside its vocalist, Victor Willis. This impeccable blend of vibrant brass melodies, swirling violins, and engaging funky beats makes the song so lively and infectious that it virtually compels participation. The accompanying arm motions, reminiscent of semaphore introduced during a 1979 appearance on the TV show American Bandstand, make it even trickier to resist – though Trump has yet to attempt them himself. YMCA is the perfect wedding reception number everyone can join in on, akin to an aerobics routine that everyone can partake in.

But how did it transition from celebrations to politics? In March 2020, the single received a certification as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the National Recording Registry of the US Library of Congress – a clear indication that it was no longer viewed as provocative or edgy, but rather as an all-encompassing celebration of social enjoyment. A month later, it was played loudly at anti-lockdown gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some demonstrators altered the letters YMCA to MAGA, and the song became a regular feature at Trump events shortly thereafter. Unlike certain political assemblies that might come across as serious and somber, Trump relishes the idea that his rallies embody the exciting flair reminiscent of a sports event or a rock concert – thus Village People’s uplifting hit aligns perfectly as their crowd-pleasing soundtrack. As the lyrics convey, “There’s no need to feel down… pick yourself off the ground.”

However, the connection between MAGA and YMCA is not solely about enjoyment, according to Dr A Jamie Saris, an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Maynooth University. “I don’t believe you can separate Trump and his base from nostalgia,” Dr Saris states to the BBC. “They crave a redo. Our desire to relive moments they remember as when America thrived; they simply wish to overlook the contradictions. Disco was troubling for many youths during that era, yet now the very individuals who once found it uncomfortable say, ‘The 1970s were fantastic! My back felt great!'”

Additionally, Dr Saris notes that the nostalgia that pervades the MAGA movement veers into camp. “You witness office workers at Trump’s rallies adorning themselves as war heroes and Navy Seals and working-class individuals.” Odd as it appears, their costumes are not vastly different from those of the Village People who, with a touch of knowing irony, idolize allegedly wholesome lifestyles by dressing as a policeman, a soldier, a cowboy, a Native American chief, a construction worker, and a leather-clad biker: what Dr Saris refers to as “still-respected representations of American masculinity.”

None of this diminishes the puzzling link between the melody and the politician: campaign songs usually revolve around nationalism, liberty, and optimism for the future, rather than hanging out with friends when finances are tight. However, it is important to mention that Trump’s selection of music is restricted. The roster of musicians who have protested the use of their tracks at his events, or have had their attorneys issue cease-and-desist notices, is incredibly extensive, featuring Beyoncé, Rihanna, Celine Dion, REM, and Aerosmith among others. When “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes was featured at a rally, Jack White reacted on Instagram: “Don’t you even think about using my music, you fascists. Lawsuit is coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others).” The band has since withdrawn the lawsuit. 

Curiously enough, another individual on that list is Victor Willis from the Village People. In June 2020, he revealed that he preferred Trump to refrain from playing his tracks anymore, and in 2023 he issued a cease-and-desist notice after a group dressed as the Village People was spotted performing at Mar-a-Lago. Nevertheless, numerous individuals who have voiced opposition to Trump in recent years have altered their stance, and Willis is among them. “The financial returns have been substantial,” he noted on Facebook in December. “YMCA is projected to generate several million dollars since the President-elect’s ongoing use of the song. Thus, I’m pleased that I permitted the President-elect to continue using YMCA. And I express my gratitude for selecting my song.” Additionally, Willis indicated in that post that he never intended for there to be any insinuation in lyrics such as, “I’m sure you will find many ways to have a good time.” He mentioned that his wife would take legal action against any media outlet that characterized YMCA as a gay anthem.

Still bewildered by the image of a 78-year-old President-elect dancing to a disco track featuring the words “Young man”? Perhaps this bewilderment is intentional: one aspect that delights Donald Trump’s supporters and exasperates his critics is that he doesn’t neatly conform to any singular category. “Trump’s musical choices (which always appear to be his personal selections) reveal a great deal about him,” states Professor James Garratt, the writer of Music and Politics: A Critical Introduction, to the BBC, “since, in contrast to other politicians, he seems indifferent to whether his selections appear chaotic, arbitrary, or ideologically inconsistent. This is, after all, a man who has consistently shifted his political loyalties, and his playlist similarly veers eclectically. I don’t believe he’s antagonizing liberals by utilizing songs like YMCA; rather, we’re observing the genuine Trump in all his mixed-up splendor.”