President Donald Trump eulogized Victor Willis, the founding lead singer of the Village People and co-writer of disco anthems including "YMCA," "Macho Man" and "In the Navy," by boasting about his own popularity.
The group's official Facebook page announced that Willis had passed away Monday at age 74 after a brief illness, and the 80-year-old president paid tribute Wednesday on his Truth Social platform.
"He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies," Trump posted. "It became a 'monster' hit, again, 30 years after its original launch. 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!"
"They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song," he added. "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!!!"
The relationship between Willis and Trump was not always so warm. In 2020, Willis publicly demanded Trump stop using "YMCA" and "Macho Man" at campaign events, though he later said he was fine with the "YMCA" usage specifically, prompting a Saturday Night Live parody of the band's shifting stance.
Willis – better known as the police officer in the costumed group – subsequently clarified that he and the group opposed Trump's use of their music, although he noted the campaign was legally permitted to use the music through a licensing agreement.
By January 2025, however, Village People performed at Trump's pre-inauguration rally, and "YMCA" had become a fixture of his events, with Trump frequently dancing to it on stage.
“We know this wont (sic) make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” Willis posted on Facebook in early 2025. “Our song 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.”
"Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump," he added.
