Village People have agreed to perform their iconic anthem, “Y.M.C.A.,” at one of Donald Trump’s inauguration events, despite sending the president-elect a cease-and-desist letter in 2023 to stop using their music.
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The disco legends, known for their catchy tunes and vibrant performances, found themselves in a complicated position after their songs, including “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.,” were repeatedly used at Trump events during his 2020 campaign and his presidency. This prompted the group to take legal action, demanding that Trump stop playing their music, especially after “Macho Man” was featured at a Mar-a-Lago event. However, after backing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, the band is now stepping back from their earlier stance.
This unexpected about-face was explained by lead singer Victor Willis on social media, where he shared the group’s decision to perform at Trump’s “MAGA Victory” rally in Washington. “We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear, but we believe music transcends politics,” Willis wrote. “'Y.M.C.A.' is a global anthem that has always been about bringing people together, and in a time of division, it feels right to use it as a unifying force.”
In his message, Willis acknowledged that while the Village People had supported Harris in the