The Trump Dance is a celebratory movement inspired by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's characteristic rally gestures while dancing to his campaign song "Y.M.C.A.". It has gained popularity among professional and collegiate athletes across various sports. The dance typically involves slowly punching air and shaking hips, reflecting movements Trump has often performed at political events.
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Background
editThe dance originated at Trump's 2020 campaign rallies, where his movements became a notable aspect of his public persona.[1][2] Over time, these gestures were popularized through social media and eventually adopted by individuals outside the political sphere.[2]
Cari Kelemen @KelemenCari
OMG! He added a golf swing! ♥
October 24, 2024[3]
The dance is performed by rocking the hips in a side-to-side motion while performing alternating, subdued fist pumps from hip-level.[2] In October 2024, Trump began performing a pantomime golf swing as part of the dance.[3][4] According to the Times of India, this sparked "a wave of reaction" on social media.[3]
The Trump Dance is frequently performed to the musical accompaniment of the Village People's "Y.M.C.A.",[3] which Trump has described as the "gay national anthem".[3][5]
Adoption in sports
editThe "Trump Dance" has been observed in major sporting events, with athletes incorporating it into their celebratory routines.[6]
National Football League (NFL)
editNFL players, including Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders[1], Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans[7], Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers[8], and Za'Darius Smith of the Detroit Lions[8], have been noted for dancing games.[clarification needed] Similar celebrations have also been documented among college football athletes.[8]
In late November 2024, the NFL announced it would not penalize players who performed the Trump Dance during league games.[9] According to football analyst Jordan Schultz, the NFL indicated "that they only take action against those [play celebrations] deemed excessive or inappropriate" but that the league "is good" with the Trump Dance.[9]
Soccer
editUS national team soccer player Christian Pulisic used the dance to celebrate a goal during a November 18, 2024, match. Pulisic later stated, "It's not a political dance. It was just for fun."[10] In November 2024, members of the English team Barnsley F.C. performed the Trump Dance after scoring a goal against Cambridge United.[8]
Mixed martial arts
editUltimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Jon Jones incorporated the dance into his post-match celebrations during an event attended by Trump.[7]
Golf
editProfessional golfer Charley Hull performed the dance during a tournament match on November 17, 2024.[11]
Cultural significance
editThe "Trump Dance" is widely regarded as an example of the intersection of sports and political culture, although athletes often characterize its use as non-political. Supporters of the dance argue it reflects Trump's broader cultural influence, while detractors view it as a polarizing gesture.[6][10]
In the week prior to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, "Y.M.C.A.", to which the Trump Dance is frequently performed, appeared in the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic chart for the first time in 47 years, rising to the number four spot shortly after the election and, according to songwriter Victor Willis grossing "several million dollars" since Trump's adoption of the tune.[12][13] Karen Willis, the manager of the Village People, attributed the song's sudden resurgence to Trump's use of it during his performances of the Trump Dance.[12]
In a November 2024 New York Times column by Maureen Dowd, Dowd said she was going to solicit "younger members of the family" to teach her the dance.[14] The same month, President of Argentina Javier Milei performed the Trump Dance during a gala at Mar-a-Lago.[15] Video of Milei performing the dance "rippled across social media", according to The Daily Beast.[15]
Reception
editThe dance's emergence has sparked mixed reactions on social media and in public discourse. While some view it as a lighthearted homage, others criticize its potential to evoke political connotations in settings they consider traditionally apolitical, like sports.[2][16]
References
edit- ^ a b Deen, Safid (November 18, 2024). "Brock Bowers' trump dance latest viral NFL celebration". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Goffe, Nadira (November 19, 2024). "How the "Trump Dance" Took Over the Sports World". Slate. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Donald Trump Adds Golf Swing to His Iconic Dance Moves". Times of India. October 25, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Sembhi, Aisha (November 19, 2024). "What is the 'Trump dance'? And where have we seen it in sport?". BBC News. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Hartmann, Margaret (March 11, 2022). "Trump Explains His Love of 'Y.M.C.A.,' Which He Claims Is the 'Gay National Anthem'". New York Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Pandey, Erica (November 19, 2024). ""Trump Dance" takes over sports". Axios. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Murray, Conor (November 19, 2024). "These Athletes—From The NFL, UFC And U.S. Soccer Embrace 'Trump Dance'". Forbes. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, Louisa (November 24, 2024). "Donald Trump's Go-To Dance Move Has Invaded Sports". The New Yorker. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Schorsch, Peter (November 20, 2024). ""NFL makes decision regarding punishing players for doing Trump dance"". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Maurer, Pablo; Sheldon, Dan (November 19, 2024). "Explaining Christian Pulisic's 'Donald Trump dance' celebration and its impact". The Athletic. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Harris, Mark (November 18, 2024). "Charley Hull Does The Trump Dance During Battle With Nelly Korda In LPGA Event". OutKick. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Daly, Michael (November 9, 2024). "Why The Village People Could Bury The Hatchet With Trump". The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Lim, Clarissa-Jan (December 3, 2024). "Village People singer who wrote 'Y.M.C.A.' says Trump using the song has brought in millions". CNBC. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Dowd, Maureen (November 28, 2024). "My Brother Is Doing the Trump Dance". New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Archaki, Liam (November 15, 2024). "Watch World Leader Do Trump's 'YMCA' Dance at Mar-a-Lago". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Treacy, Dan (November 20, 2024). "Donald Trump dance, explained: How the president's celebration invaded sports, from Jon Jones to Nick Bosa". Sporting News. Retrieved November 24, 2024.