Former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that his distinctive dance moves to the iconic Village People song, “Y.M.C.A.,” were instrumental in driving a significant resurgence of the track on the Billboard charts. During a recent speaking engagement at The Villages retirement community in Florida on Friday (May 1), Trump took credit for the 1970s disco hit topping Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart in late 2024, more than four decades after its initial release.

In his speech, Trump made an incorrect claim regarding the song’s chart history, stating, “That song was No. 5 32 years ago, and it went to No. 1 32 years later.” He further elaborated, “It went to No. 1 for months during the last months of the campaign.” While “Y.M.C.A.” was indeed a prominent feature of his 2024 presidential campaign and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Top Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart that November, its original peak on the Billboard Hot 100 following its late 1978 release was No. 2, not No. 5.

Trump frequently utilized the ubiquitous disco-era track, which he has controversially referred to as the “gay national anthem,” during his campaign events. The song's continued use sparked a dialogue, with Village People founder Victor Willis addressing the matter in December 2024. Willis revealed that he had initially requested Trump to cease using “Y.M.C.A.” in 2020. However, he later reconsidered, observing that the politician appeared to “genuinely like” the song and was “having a lot of fun” with it, as detailed in a lengthy Facebook post in late 2024.

Willis further noted that the dance tune had “benefited greatly” in terms of chart placements and sales since its incorporation into Trump’s campaign. Expressing his satisfaction, Willis wrote, “Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A.,” and extended his thanks to Trump for choosing his song.

During the same Friday speech, Trump also shared an anecdote about his wife, Melania Trump, and her sentiments regarding his onstage performances to “Y.M.C.A.” He recounted, “She hates when I dance to what is sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem. She hates it.” He elaborated on her disapproval, stating, “We love that song. But [Melania] goes, ‘Darling, please.’ You know, she’s a very elegant woman. She goes, ‘Darling, please don’t dance. It’s not presidential.’ I said, ‘It may not be presidential, but I’m leading by 20 points in the polls or something.’ ” Trump concluded his address at the Florida retirement community by showcasing his signature dance moves, characterized by fist pumps and hip shakes, as “Y.M.C.A.” played, solidifying his association with the classic track.