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Village People’s Victor Willis—better known as the police officer in the group he co-founded—has spoken out about Donald Trump using the band’s music at his political rallies. In an interview with BBC News, Willis said that the group had asked the Trump campaign to stop using their songs at his events. Watch the short interview below.
In the clip, Willis notes that the campaign is legally allowed to use the music through the same licensing agreement that’s allowed Trump to use music by Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and Prince, despite protests from artists or their estates. “I don’t endorse Trump, I’ve never endorsed Trump, nor has the Village People,” Willis said. When an anchor asked Willis what he thought about Trump’s dancing, Willis laughed and said, “Donald Trump does what Donald Trump does. I’ve never seen him actually put his hands up and make the YMCA. He’s changed it to M-A-G-A or something.”
In addition to “YMCA,” the Trump campaign has also used the group’s 1978 single “Macho Man” at rallies. Willis co-wrote both songs. On Saturday Night Live last week (October 24), a Weekend Update segment focused on the subject of Trump and the Village People, with Kenan Thompson appearing in Willis’ usual role.
Read “Musicians Might Be Able to Finally Stop Trump From Using Their Songs” on the Pitch.