The closing act for Trump’s inauguration ball last night was an unexpected choice: Village People.
This has caused confusion for people who don’t see the ethos of Village People really aligning with that of Donald Trump, who many believe will make life less safe for LGBTQ+ people during his second term in office, and who ran on a highly transphobic platform. But original members of the band have pointed out that since a 2017 legal battle and settlement, the name, music and characters of “Village People” have belonged to original co-writer and singer Victor Willis, who has since replaced all other members.
In a Facebook post in December 2024, Willis said that calling Y.M.C.A a “gay anthem” is based on a “false assumption”, and that, starting in January 2025, his wife would sue “each and every news organization that falsely refers to Y.M.C.A [as] a gay anthem because such notion is based solely on the song’s lyrics alluding to elicit activity for which it does not. However, I don’t mind that gays think of the song as their anthem.”
Former members such as one-time cowboy Jim Newman have been inundated with complaints and confusion from fans, forcing them to clarify that they had nothing to do with the inauguration show and were disappointed at Willis’ decision to perform. Note: Jim Newman says that the original member who now runs Village People was fired from the band, but we were unable to verify this.
“My inbox has been blowing up,” said Eric Anzalone, who replaced Leatherman Glenn Hughes in 1995. “Read between the quotes. Music industry = Good times.”
Felipe Rose, who played the Native American character in the OG line-up, posted several messages in support of Kamala Harris during the election campaign. Last night he posted a screenshot from a news article clarifying he would not be in DC for the inauguration.
Cowboy Randy Jones hasn’t posted about the inauguration, but on election results day in November, he posted a photo of a blue baseball cap stitched with the words “Make America Think Again”, and an image of Lady Liberty crying into her hands.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr shared this incredibly hetero tweet on X last night after the performance.
Words by @iamhelenthomas
