Victor Willis defends Trump's use of "Y.M.C.A." and denies gay anthem claims

Victor Willis, a founding member of the Village People, has publicly defended Donald Trump's use of the band’s hit song "Y.M.C.A." at his rallies, denying claims that the song is a "gay anthem." In a recent Facebook post, Willis explained that while he had initially requested that Trump stop playing the song at political events due to complaints from fans, he ultimately decided not to prevent its continued use. He clarified that the Trump campaign had a legitimate political use license from BMI, and without that being revoked, they had every right to use the song.

Willis further explained that Trump genuinely enjoys "Y.M.C.A." and has fun with it, which led him to reconsider his position. Despite some artists withdrawing permission for Trump to use their music, Willis chose not to follow suit, citing financial benefits from the song’s ongoing usage. He acknowledged that he stands to make millions from the song’s continued popularity.

Addressing the idea that "Y.M.C.A." is a gay anthem, Willis rejected this notion, stating that the song was not written with any such message. He clarified that the lyrics were based on his experiences with the YMCA in urban San Francisco, focusing on sports and affordable housing. Willis also criticized the assumption that the song alludes to gay culture, attributing this interpretation to misunderstandings surrounding the YMCA's historical use in certain communities.

Willis announced plans to take legal action starting in January 2025 against any news outlets that label "Y.M.C.A." as a gay anthem. He stressed that while the song is enjoyed by many in the LGBTQ+ community, it was not created with that specific intention, and the misrepresentation has caused harm to its legacy.