Victor Willis: Donald Trump pays tribute to Village People frontman who died aged 74
The US President paid tribute to the YMCA co-writer, noting that his use of the song at rallies led it to become a “monster” hit 30 years after its release.
Donald Trump has led the tributes to Village People lead singer Victor Willis, who died aged 74 after a brief illness.
The US President posted a message on his Truth Social platform describing the singer as a “great and happy guy”, noting that he performed with a version of the disco band at a number of events at his inauguration in January 2025.
“He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies. It became a “monster” hit, again, 30 years after its original launch,” Mr Trump posted.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Many singers and groups wanted to get on board at the Rallies after all of the Rally Attendance Records were set - The crowds were, and are, enormous - But Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning!
“We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week.”
The 45th and 47th US President’s tribute came hours after the band released a statement on its Facebook page revealing the death of Willis.
“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People. Victor passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested,” the statement said.
With Village People, Willis achieved several hit singles including YMCA, which has become a gay anthem despite the singer claiming in 2024 that it was not the song’s intention, and the number two single In The Navy.
Despite Mr Trump’s claim that Willis was on board with him “from the beginning”, the group initially issued a cease and desist letter when he began using YMCA in his 2020 re-election campaign, which he lost to former US president Joe Biden.
Mr Trump used the song again in his successful 2024 election campaign, which concluded with a line-up of the band performing at events around his 2025 inauguration.
The performances came despite one former Village People member Jim Newman, saying the original band “would never ever” perform at a Trump rally in a post on Instagram.
In 2020, Willis himself said his band did not endorse Mr Trump, who has also used the group’s song Macho Man at his rallies.
He told the BBC, before his performances at Trump rallies: “I like hearing music at all times and I like the fact that fans of all kinds, Democrats or Republicans, they all like YMCA and that is something that is pleasing to me.”
Village People also had hits with songs such as Go West and Can’t Stop The Music.
They also featured in the 1980 American comedy film Can’t Stop The Music, which was a pseudo-biography of the group.
The band were known for their fancy dress-style costumes, with Willis playing characters including a police officer, admiral and an athlete during performances.
