President Donald Trump joked that his wife Melania 'hates' when he dances to the Village People's hit song YMCA, dubbing the iconic track the 'Gay National Anthem.' Speaking to MAGA supporters on Friday at The Villages in Florida, a massive retirement community known for its lively atmosphere, Trump revealed that the First Lady believes his dance moves are 'unpresidential.'
Trump's Remarks on Melania's Disapproval
'She hates when I dance to what's sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem,' Trump told the crowd, adding, 'We love that song.' He frequently danced to the 1978 disco hit on the campaign trail and boasted that his use of the song led to a surge in popularity for the decades-old track. Melania herself confessed her hesitation in a January Fox News interview, saying she only likes 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,' she added.
YMCA's Chart Success
YMCA claimed the Number 1 spot during the week of November 17, 2024, after Trump played the song on the campaign trail. The Village People, formed in 1978, gained popularity among the gay community. Their album Cruisin' became an international smash hit, earning Number 1s in 17 countries and selling over 12 million copies. In 2020, it was preserved by the National Recording Registry of the US Library of Congress.
Debate Over the 'Gay National Anthem' Label
The interpretation of YMCA as the 'Gay National Anthem' has been widely debated. Some see the lyrics as about gay men finding community at the YMCA, while others view the line about 'having a good time' as a euphemism for gay sex. However, co-writer Victor Willis dispelled this in 2024, stating, 'As I've said numerous times in the past, that is a false assumption... To that I say once again, get your minds out of the gutter. It is not.' Willis noted that despite Trump's continued use of the song being a 'nuisance,' the president's team obtained a license, and he 'didn't have the heart' to fight it.
The Village People's History and Controversy
The Village People have had a rotating cast since their inception. French producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo founded the group, with Willis as the only remaining original member. The group's name was inspired by Greenwich Village, a New York City neighborhood known as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and site of the Stonewall Riots. Many original members were gay, including Morali, who died of AIDS complications in 1991. The group performed at a ball on the eve of Trump's inauguration in 2025, sparking backlash. Former member Jim Newman said the original group 'would never, ever perform at a Trump rally,' calling it 'sad to watch what has happened to the Village People brand.' The band defended the decision as a way to bring the country together, stating that 'music is to be performed without regard to politics.' The Daily Mail has reached out for comment on Trump's recent remarks.
