Victor Willis, the lead singer and lyricist of the Village People, defended former President-elect Donald Trump’s use of the disco hit “Y.M.C.A.” during his 2020 presidential campaign rallies. In a detailed Facebook post, Willis expressed gratitude toward Trump for popularizing the song. He also firmly denied claims that the track is a “gay anthem.”
Trump’s dance to “Y.M.C.A.” became a viral staple at his rallies, cementing the song’s presence in the political arena.
“Trump seems to genuinely like ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and he’s having a lot of fun with it,” Willis wrote.
Controversial campaign use
Since 2020, Willis said he has received “over a thousand complaints” about Trump’s use of the song.
Initially, he asked the campaign to stop, calling the complaints a “nuisance.” However, Trump’s team legally obtained a political use license from BMI, a performance rights organization, allowing them to play the track.
Despite pressure to revoke the license, Willis decided against it.
“I didn’t have the heart to prevent his continued use of my song in the face of so many artists withdrawing their material,” he explained.
He credited Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.” for the song’s renewed popularity, saying it generated millions in revenue since its association with the campaign.
Throughout both campaigns, artists like the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Rihanna demanded Trump stop using their songs at rallies. Many celebrities cited political or personal disagreements with his administration.
Addressing misconceptions
Willis also pushed back against claims that “Y.M.C.A.” is a “gay anthem.” He called it a misconception. He believed this assumption stems from stereotypes about the YMCA health organization and the band members.
“This assumption is based on the fact that the YMCA was apparently being used as some sort of gay hangout,” Willis said. “Since one of the writers was gay and some (not all) of the Village People were gay, the song must be a message to gay people. To that, I say once again, get your minds out of the gutter. It is not.”
He clarified that lyrics like “hang out with all the boys” reflect 1970s Black slang for socializing.
A universal appeal
Willis emphasized the song’s universal popularity, saying he doesn’t mind if the LGBTQ+ community views it as its anthem.
The “Y.M.C.A.” can be found on playlists at events like weddings, bar mitzvahs, sporting events and even commercials. Willis said it has become an anthem for people from all walks of life.
Willis warned that starting in 2025, he plans to sue media outlets that falsely label the song as a “gay anthem.” He said such descriptions are defamatory.
