Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally in Michigan on Election Day. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images.
Donald Trump made the Village People “great again” for conservatives, and now the 1970s disco group will be featured during his inauguration weekend, along with Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Why it matters: Trump is personally picking his celebration’s musical acts to represent his eclectic tastes, an inauguration official tells Axios. The Village People earned a special place in MAGA world because their 1978 hit “YMCA” inspired what’s now known as “The Trump Dance” (yes, it has a Wikipedia entry).
- The group — whose song was played at Trump rallies throughout the 2024 campaign — will perform it at the president-elect’s “Victory Rally,” Sunday at Capital One Arena in D.C.
- Cyrus also will perform at the rally, as will Kid Rock, who was featured at the Republican National Convention last summer in Milwaukee.
Zoom in: Country singer Jason Aldean, whose 2023 hit “Try That in a Small Town” was an unofficial MAGA anthem during Trump’s campaign, will play at the inaugural ball on Monday, hours after Trump is sworn in as president.
- Rascal Flatts, which broke through with their 2006 cover of “Life is a Highway,” also is on the ball’s run of show.
Catch up quick: As reported previously, singer Carrie Underwood is scheduled to sing “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration ceremony.
- Opera singer Christopher Macchio will sing the national anthem, and Lee Greenwood will perform “Proud to Be an American,” Trump’s walk-on song.
