For years, Donald Trump has made the Village People’s iconic hit “YMCA” a staple at his campaign rallies. With that, a signature dance move of his—swaying his hips side to side and punching his fists in the air—has become surprisingly well-known. Though Trump may not have expected it, his dance has taken on a life of its own, and he’s no longer the only one doing it.
While his time as President of the United States was filled with landmark decisions and polarizing policies, Donald Trump may be remembered just as much for his unconventional style, including his memorable dance moves. These moves have sparked a ripple effect in pop culture and even made their way into the world of professional sports. Among those who copied Trump’s dance is Nick Bosa, the star defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, who performed it before Super Bowl LIX. The mimicry didn’t stop there—athletes across different sports have incorporated the quirky dance into their celebrations, drawing laughter and sometimes admiration from fans.
In an interview with Fox News before that Super Bowl, Trump opened up about his now-famous dance, admitting that he never expected it to go viral. “We do these rallies. They’ve always been great, but they got really great, and I don’t know what it is,” he said. “I try and walk off sometimes without dancing, and I can’t. I have to dance because it’s just… it just got something special about it.”
Despite the popularity of his performance among his supporters, Trump’s use of the Village People’s song hasn’t gone without pushback. The group has responded multiple times to the ongoing use of “YMCA” at Trump’s political events. In 2020, they posted a statement on Facebook acknowledging that “Our music is all-inclusive and certainly everyone is entitled to do the ‘YMCA’ dance, regardless of their political affiliation.” However, they also politely added that they’d “prefer our music be kept out of politics.” It’s clear that while the band supports inclusion, they’d rather not have their work associated with partisan messaging.
Among Trump’s political allies, attempts to recreate the dance have met with mixed reactions. One example that stood out occurred when Kristi Noem, then Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and former Governor of South Dakota, tried her hand at the Trump dance. Her performance drew widespread attention online, with one Twitter user calling it one of the “strangest” moments ever seen at a Trump rally.
Another social media user chimed in with a more pointed critique, saying, “The cringeworthy moment my Gov @GovKristiNoem realizes she won’t be moderating questions for Trump from the audience but rather be forced to dance around for 40 minutes with her failed leader. Sheesh, that’s harsh reality there. Hard not to chuckle.”
But what does Melania Trump, the former First Lady, really think of her husband’s moves? In a December 2024 interview with Fox, she was shown a clip of Trump dancing and asked to comment. With a laugh, Melania described the dance as “happy and loose,” calling it “special and unique.” She added, “People are copying it and everybody have fun with it.” Though she didn’t say whether she’s given Donald any tips, she confirmed that he came up with the moves entirely on his own.
So had Melania ever tried the dance herself? Not until recently. That changed during the 249th celebration of American Independence. On the Fourth of July, Donald and Melania appeared on the White House balcony. As usual, Trump broke into his signature “Trump Dance,” pumping his fists in the air and swaying his hips in rhythm to the beat. But this time, Melania joined in.
Fans watched as the First Lady began to dance alongside her husband. Though her moves were more subdued, she raised her hands and bounced slightly on her feet, mimicking the festive mood. Reactions came quickly online, and as expected, opinions varied.
Some celebrated the moment as a refreshing display of connection and spirit. “Melania dancing with Trump shows what real leadership looks like: joyful, authentic, and connected to the people. This is America at its best. Happy 4th!” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Another chimed in, “The Trumps know how to party,” while a third wrote, “Melania is the best FLOTUS America has ever had.”
However, not everyone was impressed. Critics were quick to offer a different interpretation, accusing the couple of putting on a carefully staged performance for the cameras. One skeptical viewer commented, “Of course Melania’s out there mimicking Trump’s goofy little air-punch dance—because every second of their public life is scripted for show. The fireworks, the fake smiles, the swaying hips—it’s all theater for the cameras.”
This same user went further, claiming that the couple’s marriage was more strategic than romantic. “Let’s not get it twisted: this is a contractual marriage. There’s no love here, just obligation, image management, and financial strategy. Every photo op is a transaction. Trust and believe, Melania didn’t sign up for romance—she signed up for control, conditions, and a calculated exit plan.”
Whether you view the Trump dance as a charming personal quirk, an entertaining cultural moment, or a calculated piece of political theater, there’s no denying its impact. From viral sports celebrations to sparking commentary across the political spectrum, this simple dance has become part of Trump’s public identity. And now, with Melania joining in—even briefly—it’s become something of a family affair.
So, what do you think of the Trump family’s dancing antics? Are they a fun break from the usual political seriousness or just more reality-show-style performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear what you think.
