Village People, a disco band whose members dress up as “macho” male characters, have announced they will perform at an event celebrating President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.
“We know some people won’t be happy to hear this, but we believe that music should be played without politics,” said the band’s lead singer and only remaining original.・Member Victor Willis wrote in a recent article. facebook post. Willis plays a “cop.”
“Our song ‘YMCA’ is a global anthem that we hope will unite the country after a chaotic and divisive election campaign in which our favored candidate lost.” Willis wrote. “Therefore, we believe now is the time to unite the nation through music. That’s why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of President Donald J. Trump’s 2025 Inauguration.”
Village People will perform at the inauguration eve hosted by activist group MAGA turning point america.
Notable guests confirmed to attend the event include Vice President-elect J.D. Vance; President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Vivek Ramaswamy, joint director of the newly created Ministry of Government Efficiency; Border Emperor Tom Homan. Kash Patel was nominated by President Trump to head the FBI. Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence. and Stephen Miller, advisor to President Trump.
Other notable guests include a number of far-right and anti-LGBTQ media personalities, including Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Glenn Beck, Michael Knowles, Matt Walsh, and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has promoted the cause of Christian nationalism and right-wing ideology, supported white supremacist ideology, and frequently demonized members of the LGBTQ community.
The Village People’s “YMCA,” which was enthusiastically embraced by the gay community in the 1970s, is now a staple of President Trump’s political rallies, during which the president-elect pumps his fists to the beat of the song. He grips it and moves his arm awkwardly and awkwardly. He moves his arms back and forth and performs a humiliating “great-grandfather” dance. Sometimes he seems to be pulling imaginary strings in his head.
For decades, people have claimed that the Village People’s costumes and songs are “coded” to appeal to members of the LGBTQ community.
Trump’s critics have accused the president-elect and his ardent supporters of hypocrisy for promoting a song that has long been considered an iconic “gay anthem.”
However, Willis insisted there was no hidden meaning in the group’s clothing or the lyrics of the songs.
In fact, Willis recently threatened with lawsuit “Any news outlet that alludes to ‘YMCA’ in a headline or at the core of an article and falsely refers to ‘YMCA’ as somehow a gay anthem.”
In 2020, Willis, who is straight, asked Trump to stop playing “YMCA” and other Village People songs at his rallies. Three years later, the group’s manager sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign for playing their song “Macho Man” at an event at the president’s Mar-a-Lago mansion.
Willis has since changed his mindHe said that President Trump “seems to really like this song.” (An increase in estimated royalty checks probably won’t hurt either.)
The LGBTQ community seems to dislike the song due to its association with President Trump.
Several comments posted on Village People’s Facebook page accused the band of “selling themselves out” to curry favor with the president-elect. Gay culture critic Michael Musto went so far as to call the song “washed straight.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
