Victor Willis Defends Donald Trump’s Use of “Y.M.C.A.”
Music played a significant role throughout Donald Trump’s campaign trail, with the iconic Village People hit “Y.M.C.A.” becoming a rally staple. Initially criticized for his use of the 1978 classic, Trump continued to feature the track, solidifying its association with his events. Despite early objections, Village People lead singer Victor Willis has since defended Trump’s use of the song.
Victor Willis Speaks Out on “Y.M.C.A.” and Trump
Trump’s connection to “Y.M.C.A.” dates back to the 2020 election. During this time, Willis faced heavy criticism from fans who opposed the song’s use at Trump’s rallies. In a recent social media post, Willis shared how he initially asked Trump to stop using the song due to the complaints.
“Since 2020, I’ve received over a thousand complaints about President-Elect Trump’s use of ‘Y.M.C.A.,’” Willis wrote. “I decided to ask the President-Elect to stop using ‘Y.M.C.A.’ because his use had become a nuisance to me.”
However, Willis later acknowledged that the Trump campaign had legally obtained a license from BMI to use the track, giving them every right to continue. He added, “Trump seems to genuinely like ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and he’s having a lot of fun with it.”
Willis also noted the unexpected financial benefits of the song’s renewed popularity, saying, “The financial benefits have been great as well. ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President-Elect’s continued use of the song.”
Is “Y.M.C.A.” Really a Gay Anthem? Victor Willis Responds
Many fans have long considered “Y.M.C.A.” a gay anthem, making its use by Trump—whose policies have been criticized for undermining LGBTQ+ rights—controversial. Willis, however, has refuted this label, stating:
“As I’ve said numerous times in the past, that is a false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay, and some (not all) of Village People were gay. The first Village People album was totally about gay life.”
While Willis appreciates the LGBTQ+ community’s embrace of the song, he argues that its interpretation as a gay anthem is misleading and defamatory. “You’d be hard-pressed to find ‘Y.M.C.A.’ on the playlist at any gay club, parade, or other gay activity in a way that suggests it’s somehow an anthem to the community,” he added.
Musicians Who Opposed Donald Trump’s Use of Their Music
While Willis has defended Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.,” other artists have taken legal action to prevent their music from being used at Trump rallies. High-profile musicians such as Elton John, Nancy Sinatra, and Jack White have publicly opposed the Trump campaign’s use of their work.
During the 2024 campaign, Jack White threatened to sue over the use of The White Stripes’ hit “Seven Nation Army.” Similarly, the estate of soul legend Isaac Hayes sought a permanent injunction to ban the Trump campaign from using Hayes’ compositions, including the 1966 single “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Hayes’ son expressed his hope that the ruling would encourage other artists to take a stand.
Conclusion
Despite ongoing controversy, Victor Willis has embraced Donald Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.,” citing both legal rights and financial benefits. As debates over music use in political campaigns continue, the case of “Y.M.C.A.” highlights the complexities artists face when their work becomes tied to divisive figures.
