Hijacking, old-fashioned nostalgia, personal taste, misguided ideological conservatism… How Y.M.C.A.could the Village People’s 1978 hit have become the anthem of Donald Trump ? This question arises because the Republican politician, just elected 47th President of the United States on the night of November 6, was swayed throughout his presidential campaign to the sound of an upbeat rhythm, which soon after its worldwide release became a symbol of the gay community. An artistic choice that seems paradoxical, given his conservative ideas and its opposition to the recognition of the rights of LGBT+ people.

Historically speaking, it is worth remembering that the song Y.M.C.A. refers to The Young Men Christian Association, a rather serious Protestant charity. It was the spectacular choreography, proselytizing lyrics and rousing choruses that turned this song into a standard-bearer for the gay community in the 70s. And since 2020, into a catch-all Republican anthem that has punctuated candidate Trump’s raves. This curious appropriation has interested many analysts of the American political gesture.

For some exegetes, it’s just a simple personal choice by the president, far from any form of symbolism. “ For him, it’s all about : “Here’s my soundtrack, it’s me. I’m going to play it for the people who are here””Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, founder and editor of the Trax on the Trail research project, which studies the influence of music in American presidential campaigns, analyzes at Radio-Canada.

The 78-year-old Republican, and this is not a detail here, would select songs that appeal to him, mainly songs released before the 90s. His musical choices are above all a reflection of his famous slogan used during the last three presidential campaigns: “ making America great again “. He showcases artists he knew in the 80s, a glory period when he was a wealthy businessman, with great influence.

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American cliché at its best

Elvisthe Rolling Stones, AC/DC and thus, Village People, Donald Trump essentially highlights male artists. According to an analysis by Minnesota Star Tribune (below) published in August 2024, 71% of the music used by the Republican leader at his rallies is performed by men. “ This is music written by men for men, because it reflects masculine values. These songs glorify the rebel, the fighter, the unsubmissive and the winner, embodying Trump’s perception of himself “Dana Gorzelany-Mostak explains.

And even though Y.M.C.A. is considered a “ gay tube “, the american president obscures it, never referring to it. On the contrary, rather than hearing the message conveyed by the Village People, Donald Trump sees only its nostalgic side. A American musicThe video is full of clichés, just like the costumes worn by the New York band: a cowboy, an Indian, a biker, a policeman, a worker and a soldier. The clip for Y.M.C.A. is a real step back in time, a hidden weapon used by the American billionaire in his quest to return to an idealized America. Indeed, the song was released in 1978, a time when the United States was all about family values and patriotism, as Donald Trump sees it. Concluding every campaign rally with Village People would have allowed the Republican candidate to resurrect the “American dream”. “ good times from the past “ 45-64 year-olds, its most captive electorate (53% of the vote in 2024).

First use in 2020

The origins of all this politico-artistic appropriation can be traced back to to the pandemicand more specifically to the first demonstrations against confinement carried out by American far-right militias. The state of Michigan, won by Donald Trump in 2016, had then been the scene of numerous protests. And it was on this day that Y.M.C.A. made its first appearance. For the record, the pro-Trump crowd invaded the State Capitol grounds, to the beat of the Village People hit.

” These songs glorify the rebel, the fighter, the unsubmissive and the winner, embodying Trump’s perception of himself “

Dana Gorzelany-Mostak

Y.M.C.A. immediately became the anthem of anti-confinement demonstrations in the Republican camp. Its inclusion in the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress transformed it into an almost sacrosanct heritage. All of which benefited Donald Trump, who quickly made the single his own. “ cultural and historical “.

The Village People file suit in 2020

November 2020, having just lost the presidential electionDonald Trump is the target of a complaint by Richard Malka, French lawyer for the Village People. The rights holders accuse him of unauthorized use of their music. in the final days of his election campaign. “ The world-famous song Y.M.C.A., performed by the Village People, has been the subject of massive and unauthorized use by candidate Donald Trump and his team, both during his rallies and as the soundtrack to a promotional video broadcast around the world”, pleads the French lawyer.

For the board of the New York music group, this was a use “ illicit “a “ outright theft of another’s property “that he “ would never have accepted “. All of this would fizzle out, and this legal action didn’t stop candidate Trump from using the Village People hit during his 2024 campaign.

Donald Trump dances to Y.M.C.A. (2020)