Village People Founder Defends Trump's Use of YMCA

Victor Willis, the founding member of Village People, has defended Donald Trump's use of the song 'Y.M.C.A.' during his campaign rallies, stating that he did not revoke the license after observing Trump's genuine enjoyment of the track. Although initially receiving over a thousand complaints regarding Trump's use of the song, Willis noted that the campaign had obtained a legal license and thus had every right to continue using it. He acknowledged that the song's popularity surged as a result, climbing to the top of the Billboard charts, which also brought significant financial benefits. Additionally, Willis emphasized that 'Y.M.C.A.' was never intended to be a 'gay anthem,' countering the assumption tied to its association with LGBTQ+ culture. He plans to take legal action against media outlets that incorrectly label the song as such starting in January 2025. Despite the controversies, Willis conveyed that he simply 'didn't have the heart' to prevent Trump from using the song, appreciating its newfound success.