The Trump Dance is a celebratory movement inspired by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's characteristic rally gestures while dancing to his campaign song "Y.M.C.A.". It has gained popularity among professional and collegiate athletes across various sports. The dance typically involves slowly punching air and shaking hips, reflecting movements Trump has often performed at political events.
The dance originated at Trump's 2020 campaign rallies, where his movements became a notable aspect of his public persona. [1] [2] Over time, these gestures were popularized through social media and eventually adopted by individuals outside the political sphere. [2]
Cari Kelemen @KelemenCari
OMG! He added a golf swing! ♥
October 24, 2024 [3]
The dance is performed by rocking the hips in a side-to-side motion while performing alternating, subdued fist pumps from hip-level. [2] In October 2024, Trump began performing a pantomime golf swing as part of the dance. [3] [4] According to the Times of India , this sparked "a wave of reaction" on social media. [3]
The Trump Dance is frequently performed to the musical accompaniment of the Village People's "Y.M.C.A.", [3] which Trump has described as the "gay national anthem". [3] [5]
The "Trump Dance" has been observed in major sporting events, with athletes incorporating it into their celebratory routines. [6]
NFL players, including Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders [1] , Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans [7] , Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers [8] , and Za'Darius Smith of the Detroit Lions [8] , have been noted for dancing games.[ clarification needed ] Similar celebrations have also been documented among college football athletes. [8]
In late November 2024, the NFL announced it would not penalize players who performed the Trump Dance during league games. [9] According to football analyst Jordan Schultz, the NFL indicated "that they only take action against those [play celebrations] deemed excessive or inappropriate" but that the league "is good" with the Trump Dance. [9]
US national team soccer player Christian Pulisic used the dance to celebrate a goal during a November 18, 2024, match. Pulisic later stated, "It's not a political dance. It was just for fun." [10] In November 2024, members of the English team Barnsley F.C. performed the Trump Dance after scoring a goal against Cambridge United. [8]
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Jon Jones incorporated the dance into his post-match celebrations during an event attended by Trump. [7]
Professional golfer Charley Hull performed the dance during a tournament match on November 17, 2024. [11]
The "Trump Dance" is widely regarded as an example of the intersection of sports and political culture, although athletes often characterize its use as non-political. Supporters of the dance argue it reflects Trump's broader cultural influence, while detractors view it as a polarizing gesture. [6] [10]
In the week prior to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, "Y.M.C.A.", to which the Trump Dance is frequently performed, appeared in the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic chart for the first time in 47 years, rising to the number four spot shortly after the election and, according to songwriter Victor Willis grossing "several million dollars" since Trump's adoption of the tune. [12] [13] Karen Willis, the manager of the Village People, attributed the song's sudden resurgence to Trump's use of it during his performances of the Trump Dance. [12]
In a November 2024 New York Times column by Maureen Dowd, Dowd said she was going to solicit "younger members of the family" to teach her the dance. [14] The same month, President of Argentina Javier Milei performed the Trump Dance during a gala at Mar-a-Lago. [15] Video of Milei performing the dance "rippled across social media", according to The Daily Beast. [15]
The dance's emergence has sparked mixed reactions on social media and in public discourse. While some view it as a lighthearted homage, others criticize its potential to evoke political connotations in settings they consider traditionally apolitical, like sports. [2] [16]
Maureen Brigid Dowd is an American columnist for The New York Times and an author.
"Y.M.C.A." is a song by American disco group Village People, written by Jacques Morali and singer Victor Willis and released in October 1978 by Casablanca Records as the only single from their third studio album, Cruisin' (1978). A medley with "Hot Cop" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, while the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1979, placing behind both "Le Freak" by Chic and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart. In 2024, 46 years after its release, "Y.M.C.A." spent 3 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart and peaked at No. 15 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50. Outside the US, "Y.M.C.A." reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart around the same time, becoming the group's biggest hit. It has sold 12 million copies worldwide.
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