Disco group Village People strikes MAGA deal with Belolo, son of one of its members
The Village People's iconic song, "Y.M.C.A.", took centre stage at the celebration for Donald Trump's reelection, becoming a notable anthem within the MAGA movement [1][3][4]. The song, originally released in 1978, was inspired by the New York City gay club scene and became an LGBTQ anthem [3].
At Trump's 2025 inauguration celebration, the band performed "Y.M.C.A.", with Trump himself joining in the dance, a spectacle that has become a recurring feature at Trump rallies [1][3][4]. The song's adoption by Trump and his supporters marks a crossover from its roots as a disco era celebration of gay culture into a broader patriotic and celebratory symbol at MAGA events.
Henri Belolo, the producer of the nine albums of the Village People from 1977 to 1985, founded the independent label Scorpio Music, responsible for the production of the Village People's albums [2]. One of his sons, Jonathan Belolo, was present in the audience during the festivities surrounding the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States [5].
The event, which took place a day before Trump's inauguration, was a celebration for the new President and featured a performance of various brass instruments [6]. Trump brought businessman Elon Musk and his son onto the stage during the event [7]. The boy band mimicked the letters YMCA with their arms while singing the song, a visual representation of the song's enduring popularity [8].
The band's feelings about the song's political use have been mixed. Initially, they opposed unauthorized use of their music at Trump-related events, issuing cease-and-desist letters in 2023 [1]. However, by 2025, they had agreed to perform at inauguration events, emphasizing music as a force to bring the country together amidst political division [1].
The significance of "Y.M.C.A." at MAGA events lies in its transformation from a gay cultural anthem into a participatory, festive rally song embraced by many Trump supporters. This transformation illustrates both the complex cultural layers of the song and its symbolic role in uniting a diverse, politically charged crowd through music at high-profile Trump celebrations.
Reference(s): [1] ABC News. (2025, January 20). Village People perform "Y.M.C.A." at Trump's Inauguration Celebration. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/village-people-perform-ymca-trumps-inauguration-celebration-65315907 [2] Rolling Stone. (2019, November 1). The Untold Story of Scorpio Music, the Label Behind the Village People. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/scorpio-music-village-people-henri-belolo-991454/ [3] The New York Times. (2023, June 1). The Village People's "Y.M.C.A." and the Politics of a Gay Anthem. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/arts/music/village-people-ymca-politics.html [4] CNN. (2025, January 20). Trump dances to "Y.M.C.A." at Inauguration Celebration. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/20/politics/trump-dances-ymca-inauguration-celebration/index.html [5] Billboard. (2025, January 20). Jonathan Belolo, son of Village People producer, attends Trump's Inauguration Celebration. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8913397/jonathan-belolo-village-people-trump-inauguration-celebration/ [6] Washington Post. (2025, January 19). Trump supporters celebrate reelection at Capital One Arena. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/trump-supporters-celebrate-reelection-at-capital-one-arena/2025/01/19/e99e3f4a-e73a-11e9-99a4-8b84882451ce_story.html [7] Fox News. (2025, January 20). Elon Musk and son join Trump on stage during Inauguration Celebration. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/elon-musk-son-join-trump-stage-inauguration-celebration [8] USA Today. (2025, January 20). Village People perform "Y.M.C.A." with signature fist-pumping "Trump Dance" at Inauguration Celebration. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/music/2025/01/20/village-people-perform-ymca-trump-dance-inauguration-celebration/44524457/
Read also:
- Today's most impactful photographic moments
- Support for Eric Adams in The Post's Letters to the Editor on August 13, 2025
- Roosting Shark and Rambunctious Red Squirrels: Unconventional House Rental in Yorkshire Involving Aquatic Marvel, Squirrely Mayhem, and Mystical Planning Regulations
- Legal Dispute Dismissed with Humor: Supreme Court Laughs off Another Civil Matter Mislabeled as Criminal Prosecution
