Yo, man! WTF?

Republicans have often naively used music at their campaign rallies that have lyrics or meaning that is in direct contradiction to conservative principles. Often, this has been to the ire of the respective musicians, in many cases resulting in demands to cease and desist.

Despite presenting as a crusader against ‘woke culture’, within which one might include LGBT, Trump embraced the gay anthem “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People. The song was a staple at Trump campaign rallies, typically choreographed with his signature uber-white fist-pump dance.

Now, the singer has changed his tune, in what might amount to the first instance of rolling over within civil society. He announced that the group has accepted an invitation to participate in inaugural festivities on Jan. 20th.

Victor Willis, lead singer of the group that found fame with the 70’s hit single, had been until outspoken against Trump’s use of the song. He had asked Trump to stop using the song during his 2020 campaign, in light of racial tensions that year. In 2023, Trump was served with a formal cease-and-desist letter, noting the false impression of endorsement. Willis also expressed support for Kamala Harris in the last election.

“I said to my wife one day, hey, “Trump” seems to genuinely like Y.M.C.A. and he’s having a lot of fun with it.

As such, I simply didn’t have the heart to prevent his continued use of my song in the face of so many artists withdrawing his use of their material. So I told my wife to inform BMI to not withdraw the Trump campaign political use license.”

Willis may be finding inspiration from Trump, insofar that he seems to be following the money:

“The financial benefits have been great as well as Y.M.C.A. is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song. Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A. And I thank him for choosing to use my song.”

Will it be long before Harris discovers that it is fun to stay at Mar-a-Lago?

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• Et Tu, Village People?: Disco Group to Play Trump Inauguration (Intelligencer)