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
Village People frontman Victor Willis is 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.
Village People’s Victor Willis initially spoke out against Trump using the song (
Getty Images)
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.”
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 is throwing is 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.
It’s not uncommon for entertainers to not want Trump to use their music at his rallies. There are a long laundry list of award-winning performers who have refused to lend Trump their music such as Beyonce, Celine Dion, Isaac Hayes’ Family, Bruce Springsteen, and countless more.
