The Village People, renowned for their 1978 hit Y.M.C.A., have announced their participation in events surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
In a statement, the band expressed their belief that music transcends politics after online anger. The band stated: “We believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
Their full Facebook post read: “We are announcing today that VILLAGE PEOPLE have accepted an invitation from President Elect Trump’s campaign to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump. We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
They continued to emphasise their intention to unite the country through their performance, noting that 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.”
Back in October, Village People frontman Victor Willis was beginning to welcome ex-President Donald Trump using his group’s hit song Y.M.C.A. at his campaign rallies.
Initially, Victor used to speak out against the GOP presidential candidate using the Village People’s song at his rallies, but he’s since changed his tune with the onset of publicity. Following the outrage that ensued online after the politico danced for 40 minutes to different songs, which included Y.M.C.A. at his town hall Monday, Victor issued a formal response.
He admitted that though he wasn’t thrilled about the Village People anthem being spun at the far-right event, there wasn’t much that could be done to stop it from happening.
Victor explained that Trump can legally play Y.M.C.A. at any of his events since he had previously applied for a political use license from Victor’s performing-rights org, BMI, per TMZ.
He added:”…Trump’s use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ has greatly benefited the song. For example, when Trump started using ‘Y.M.C.A’ the song shot back up to #2 on Billboard’s digital chart.”
Fans flooded The Village People Instagram page’s comment section to voice their disapproval. One user wrote: “Always loved the Pet Shop Boys Version more, but if it gives you royalties, I won’t stream it anymore. Very disappointed in you!” A second angry fan wrote: “Will never sing or dance to this song again!” And a third penned: “Shame shame shame on you for disrespecting so much the community that made you famous.”
Victor noted that he could get his lawyer’s wife to revoke Trump’s license right. However, he’s decided that he isn’t despite not supporting Trump. In 2023, Victor’s wife sent the Trump campaign a cease-and-desist letter after the businessman employed a Village People cover band to perform at the Mar-a-Lago.
Additionally, the Village People brought the issue to light when Trump’s supporters used their song at a rally during the 2020 presidential cycle. According to Victor, per TMZ, though many of his fans are encouraging him to sue, he’s chosen not to take legal action. Instead, he plans to let Trump use it until the end of the presidential campaign.
Victor says that filing a lawsuit now would be “stupid and just plain hateful.” Ironically, Victor doesn’t simply dislike Trump. However, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election. If she wanted, Victor confirmed that he’d allow her to use Y.M.C.A to.
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