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Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer
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Village People to perform at Trump’s inauguration amid mixed reactions

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer
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The Village People will bring a disco twist to the 2025 inauguration stage. The iconic group, known for their hit “Y.M.C.A.,” confirmed they will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.

The group’s music has been a staple at Trump’s rallies since 2020. His signature dance to “Y.M.C.A.” often energizes the crowd, making the song a frequent rally highlight.

On Monday, Jan. 13, the Village People announced their decision to participate in the inauguration. They acknowledged that their choice might stir controversy.

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“Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We believe it’s time to unite through music, which is why we will perform at various events for the 2025 inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”

Mixed reactions

While some fans supported their decision, others expressed disappointment.

“This decision feels like a betrayal to the very people who have supported and celebrated your work for decades,” one Facebook user wrote. “Performing for a president-elect whose policies and rhetoric oppose equality and inclusion is not just disappointing—it’s harmful.”

Another user shared a different perspective: “It’s not about left or right, liberals or conservatives, or Democrats and Republicans. It’s about bringing people together through your music. I hope this performance brings a brighter and more prosperous New Year for all.”

This isn’t the first time the group has faced criticism over their connection to Trump.

Lead singer and lyricist Victor Willis addressed the controversy in a December Facebook post. He explained why he allowed Trump to use “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies despite initially asking him to stop.

Willis described the complaints as a nuisance but noted that the Trump campaign legally obtained a “political use license” for the song. He ultimately allowed it, saying he noticed Trump “genuinely having fun” with the music.

The Village People join Carrie Underwood on the list of performers for Monday’s events.

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[KENNEDY FELTON]

The inauguration stage is getting a splash of disco. The Village People – the group behind the classic “Y-M-C-A” – are set to perform at President-elect Trump’s inauguration Monday.

The group’s song has been a crowd favorite at Trump’s rallies since 2020, often accompanied by his signature dance.

And now, the Village People announced Monday they accepted an invitation to participate in Monday’s events, acknowledging it may not sit well with everyone.

The group defended their choice, emphasizing that music transcends politics. Part of their post reads, “Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost. Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed. One Facebook user shared their disappointment, commenting in part, “This decision feels like a betrayal to the very people who have supported and celebrated your work for decades. Performing at events for a president-elect whose policies and rhetoric stand in opposition to equality and inclusion is not just disappointing—it’s harmful.”

Another user voiced support, saying, “It’s not about the left or the right, the liberals and the conservatives or the democrats and the republicans. It’s about bringing people together through your music that I hope will make the New Years bright and prosperous for all.”

This isn’t the first time the group has faced backlash over their connection to Trump.

Victor Willis – the lead singer and lyricist – posted on Facebook last December explaining why he allowed Trump to continue using “Y-M-C-A” at rallies.

Willis originally asked Trump to stop, citing the issue as a nuisance due to complaints from fans. However, since the campaign had a “political use license,” Willis ultimately let it stand after saying he saw how much fun Trump was having with the song.

The Village People now join Carrie Underwood as part of Monday’s inauguration lineup.