The Village People, whose disco-tastic hits include “In The Navy,” “YMCA,” and “Macho Man,” have given the green light to President Donald Trump’s campaign to use their songs at campaign events even though fans have urged the band to withhold permission.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the band shared that they had received “numerous requests” to ban Trump from using their songs, particularly “YMCA” and “Macho Man.”
Noting that Trump recently made his entrance at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday to the 1978 track “Macho Man,” the band told fans they can “no longer remain silent” on the issue.
“Since our music is not being used for a specific endorsement, the President’s use is “perfect[ly]” legal,” read the statement. “He has remained respectful in his use of our songs and has not crossed the line; if he or any other candidate were to use any of our songs in a manner that would suggest our endorsement, or in a promotional advertisement, that would cross the line.”
The Village People also underscored that their music is “all-inclusive and certainly everyone is entitled to do the YMCA dance, regardless of their political affiliation.”
Trump has been using “Macho Man” at campaign events since 2018. Many have noted the irony in the Donald’s usage of the gay anthem considering his unceasing attacks on the LGBTQ community since he took office.
Just a few of the attacks include the president’s anti-transgender military policy, which prohibits transgender people from serving in the U.S. armed forces; the administration’s proposed policy to allow religiously affiliated businesses to turn away LGBTQ people; and attempts to discharge HIV+ soldiers who are healthy and able to serve.
Plus, according to Lambda Legal, Trump has nominated dozens of circuit court judges who have demonstrated anti-LGBTQ bias in their careers.
While the Village People are cool with Trump using their music, other artists, including Adele, Rihanna, R.E.M., Aerosmith, and Queen, have publicly demanded the Trump campaign stop using their music at his events.
Trump enters India’s rally to the song Macho, macho man by the Village People? Don’t they know it’s a gay song???? And what happened to the 7 million people he said would welcome him in the streets?
— Lula Rodriguez (@Lananalula) February 24, 2020
Yuppers. I guess trump doesn't realize the Village People were a campy gay group giving a winkie to those in the know. Hello! YMCA, In the Navy, Macho Man. Too funny.
— Toonces Still Resists (@Toonces_Resists) February 24, 2020
I find it amusing beyond description that trump entered the stadium in India to the song Macho Man blaring from the sound system. The very stable genius doesn't realize the song is a gay anthem. With his obvious disregard for gay rights, it's another sign of his ignorance.
— They call me Belle (@carlabelle73) February 25, 2020
Sorry, gay friends. Dollar, dollar bills, y’all.
To allow Dumbfuck Donnie to use their music is telling of how desperate TVP are to stay relevant. TVP seem desperate to remain relevant in the gay community, who else will still pay to see them at the Indian Casino’s.
Silly idiots!!! Capitalize this opportunity and charge agent orange a large royalty fee for donation to anything anti-Trump or any GLBT cause. Can’t you see the poetic justice that’s ripe for picking here?
fucking sell outs, not my gay people !
I’ll be BURNING and destroying any songs I have from the Village People. Go f**k yourselves. Traitors.