The American disco group posted a statement to Facebook on Monday, announcing that they have accepted an invitation from the Trump campaign to participate in several activities surrounding Trump’s second inauguration.
"We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics," the group wrote.
"Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost," they continued, referencing Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Therefore, we believe it's now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump."
Village People’s iconic 1978 anthem YMCA had become a fixture at Trump’s rallies, with the 78-year-old even concluding one of his rally’s in Georgia by dancing to the disco hit.
In 2020, lead singer Victor Willis took to social media to call on Trump to stop using the band’s songs at his rallies.
Then in 2023, the group's manager sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump's team after they used another hit, "Macho Man", at a Mar–a-Lago event.
However, the band had a change of mind and in December of 2024, Willis announced via a Facebook post that he had changed his mind.
Touching on why he changed his mind and allowed Trump to use their disco hits, Willis said that it was because Trump "seems to genuinely like the song."
Trump doing the signature YMCA dance while dressed as a sanitation worker is exactly what you need to just feel good. Kamala could never. Biden could never. pic.twitter.com/OVT7AKLvVM
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) October 31, 2024
