Donald Trump claims his dance moves helped 'Y.M.C.A.' top charts again

Trump believes that his choreography to the 'gay national anthem' by Village People helped push it back to No 1

Donald Trump has sparked fresh attention after suggesting that his signature rally dance moves played a role in the resurgence of the Village People hit Y.M.C.A., which he referred to as the “gay national anthem.”

Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump told supporters that his choreography to the track helped push it back to No 1 on the charts decades after its original release. The song, first released in 1978, experienced a revival during Trump’s 2024 campaign, where it was frequently played at rallies and became closely associated with his public appearances.

Trump credited his dance, often featuring fist pumps and hip movements, for energising crowds and boosting the song’s popularity. He also joked that Melania Trump disapproves of his moves, saying she finds them “not presidential,” even as he continues to perform them at events.

However, his claims about the song’s chart success have been disputed. While Y.M.C.A. did see a renewed surge in popularity and reached No 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart in 2024, it did not top the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it originally peaked at No 2 in 1979.

The track’s association with Trump dates back to his earlier campaigns, where it became a staple of rallies and public events. Over time, his distinctive dance style, now widely recognised online, has contributed to the song’s continued visibility, especially among supporters and on social media.

Trump has previously described Y.M.C.A. as the “gay national anthem” in multiple appearances, a characterisation that continues to draw mixed reactions given the song’s cultural significance and longstanding place within LGBTQ+ communities.

The moment underscores how political branding, pop culture, and viral performance increasingly intersect, with a decades-old disco hit finding new life through modern campaign theatrics and online amplification.