Donald Trump, the former US president, has a surprising favorite song for dancing — the Village People’s 1978 disco classic “Y.M.C.A.” The 79-year-old made this revelation during a speech on Friday, May 1, at Florida’s The Villages retirement community.
During his address, Trump joked about how his wife, Melania, isn’t a fan of the track. He said, “She hates when I dance to what’s sometimes referred to as ‘the gay national anthem,’ you know that.” But he quickly added, “We love that song!”
Melania, 56, reportedly told Fox News host Jesse Watters earlier this year that she finds the song acceptable at times but not always appropriate. She mentioned, “I like it at certain times. Some days it’s not appropriate, and I told him so. But it’s his dance and I think people love it.”
Trump also shared how his wife would often tell him, “Darling, please — you know, she’s a very elegant woman — she goes, ‘Darling, please don’t dance. It’s not presidential.’” Despite this, the former president is known for ending his political rallies with a high-energy “Y.M.C.A.” dance routine, often followed by a golf swing movement.
The lyrics of the song, which include lines like “Many ways to have a good time… it’s fun to stay at the YMCA,” have led some to associate it with the LGBTQ community. According to Genius’ lyrics analysis, the track implies “gay men having s– in the YMCA” and suggests that males enjoy spending time together.
However, Trump’s use of the song has sparked controversy. In 2023, the Village People’s manager, Karen Willis, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump, demanding he stop playing their music at his events.
Despite this, the band made a surprise appearance at Trump’s inauguration events in January 2025, performing “Y.M.C.A.” The group explained their decision, stating, “We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
They added, “Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost. Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
Melania even performed the “Y.M.C.A.” dance herself at Trump’s inauguration last year, though she admitted it was different from her husband’s style.
While the song remains a staple at Trump’s rallies, its association with both the LGBTQ community and political events continues to spark debate. The Village People’s performance at the 2025 inauguration highlights the complex relationship between music, politics, and public perception.
As Trump’s legacy continues to evolve, so too does the cultural impact of the songs he chooses to embrace. Whether seen as a symbol of unity or a controversial choice, “Y.M.C.A.” remains a defining element of his public persona.
