President Donald Trump honored Village People frontman Victor Willis on Wednesday following the singer’s death, remembering him as an early supporter of his campaign rallies and crediting the band’s signature hit, “YMCA,” with becoming popular once again through its frequent use at his political events.
Willis, the lead singer and co-writer behind Village People classics including “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” and “In The Navy,” died at the age of 74, according to an announcement posted on the band’s official social media accounts.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday morning, Trump expressed condolences to Willis’ family while praising the singer’s support for his campaign events over the years.
“Village People singer Victor Willis is dead at 74. He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies,” Trump wrote.
The president went on to argue that the song experienced a resurgence decades after its original release because of its association with his campaign appearances.
“It became a ‘monster’ hit, again, 30 years after its original launch,” Trump wrote.
Trump also said many musical artists became interested in participating in his campaign events after seeing the size of the crowds at his rallies.
“Many singers and groups wanted to get on board at the Rallies after all of the Rally Attendance Records were set – The crowds were, and are, enormous – But Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning!” Trump said.
He added that both his supporters and the band embraced the partnership throughout the years.
“They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song,” Trump wrote.
The president concluded his tribute by saying Willis would continue to be remembered every time “YMCA” is played, especially during Independence Day celebrations.
“We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!” Trump wrote.
Willis, who was born in Texas, helped establish Village People as one of disco’s defining acts during the late 1970s. He performed as several of the group’s iconic characters, including a police officer and a naval officer.
After leaving Village People in 1980, Willis spent years engaged in a legal battle over the copyrights to songs he co-wrote before ultimately rejoining the group in 2017.
Over the course of Trump’s presidential campaigns, “YMCA” became closely associated with his political rallies, where it was regularly played at the conclusion of events as the president performed his signature dance routine.
According to the article, Willis initially approved the campaign’s use of the song but later sent a cease-and-desist letter in 2023. He subsequently reversed that position and gave Trump his blessing to continue using the track.
Earlier this year, Trump also shared that First Lady Melania Trump was not as enthusiastic about his dance routine to “YMCA.”
“She hates when I dance to what’s sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem. You know that? She hates it,” Trump said during a campaign-style appearance in Florida in May.
Trump recalled Melania telling him, “‘Darling, please don’t dance. It’s not presidential,’” before saying he ignored her advice and continued ending campaign events with the song.
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