Donald Trump in the Oval Office on June 24, 2026.
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Donald Trump has paid tribute to Victor Willis, the iconic Village People vocalist and co-writer of the global anthem “Y.M.C.A.,” who passed away on Tuesday, June 30, at age 74.
In a statement shared via Truth Social, the former president honored Willis as a “cheerful and talented individual” who took genuine pride in the prominent use of his group’s signature track at political rallies.
“It turned into a massive hit, finding new life three decades after its debut,” Trump noted. “While many artists clamored to join our rallies after we began drawing record-breaking crowds, Victor and his group were there from the start. They embraced the energy, and we certainly cherished them and that uplifting anthem.”
He concluded, “We will think of Victor whenever ‘Y.M.C.A.’ plays—especially throughout this July Fourth holiday week. My heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones and the group; he will be profoundly missed. God bless him!”
Willis’ family confirmed the loss on Wednesday, citing a brief but intense battle with illness. Beyond “Y.M.C.A.,” Willis was the creative force behind several of the Village People’s biggest hits, including “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” and “Go West.” Although he initially requested that his music not be associated with political campaigns, Willis had a change of perspective by 2024.
Addressing the situation on Facebook at the time, Willis remarked, “He continues to use the song because he secured the necessary political license to do so. I won’t sue the president over the usage of ‘Y.M.C.A.’; it feels unnecessary and rooted in spite.”
Later, Willis doubled down on his decision, dismissing concerns that labeled the song a “gay anthem” in a way that would preclude its broader appeal. He noted that Trump seemed to genuinely enjoy the track, and he was grateful for the song’s commercial resurgence, crediting the high-profile exposure for bringing the music to a new generation of listeners.
The singer’s public relationship with the former president culminated in January 2025, when he reunited with his bandmates to deliver a live performance of “Y.M.C.A.” at the inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.
