Trump pays tribute to Village People's Victor Willis after YMCA singer's sudden death

Village People singer Victor Willis performed with a version of the disco band at a number of events for US President Donald Trump

Carrington Walker and Simon Hamalienko Publishing Lead

13:23, 01 Jul 2026

[Mandatory Credit: Photo by WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (15108288bn) US President-elect Donald Trump (C) on stage with James Kwong (L) and Victor Willis (R) of the group the Village People during a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, USA, 19 January 2025. President-elect Donald Trump, who defeated Joe Biden to become the 47th president of the United States, will be inaugurated on 20 January, though all of the planned outdoor ceremonies and events have been cancelled due to a forecast of extreme cold temperatures. US Presidential Inauguration 2025, Washington, USA - 19 Jan 2025]

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Trump hailed Willis as a "great and happy guy"(Image: WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Donald Trump has paid his respects to Village People singer Victor Willis following the news of the YMCA star's passing after a sudden illness.

The singer, who performed with a version of the disco group at several events during the US President's inauguration in January 2025, died following a "short but aggressive illness" on Monday, according to an official statement.

Trump hailed Willis as a "great and happy guy" and expressed his delight at YMCA being played at his MAGA rallies. The US President credited the use of the track with helping it become a "monster hit" once more, some 30 years after it was first released, reports the Daily Star.

[HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: (L-R) Nicholas Manelick, Victor Willis, and Javier Perez of Village People perform during the 91st anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, supporting Marine Toys For Tots on November 26, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Associated Television International)]

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His wife Karen confirmed the YMCA singer-songwriter's passing(Image: Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images for Associated Television International)

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said: "Village People singer Victor Willis is dead at 74. 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.

"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!

"They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song. We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him! ! !" The statement read: "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."

[Victor Willis of the Village People performs ]

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Victor Willis of the Village People has died

Alongside Village People, Willis secured two UK top 10 singles including YMCA, which has evolved into a gay anthem despite the singer insisting in 2024 that this was not the track's original purpose, plus the number two hit In The Navy.

When Trump first deployed YMCA during his 2020 re-election bid, which he ultimately lost to former US president Joe Biden, the group initially sent a cease and desist notice.

Trump utilised the track once more during his victorious 2024 election campaign, which culminated with a line-up of the band appearing at functions surrounding his 2025 inauguration.

The appearances occurred despite one former Village People member Jim Newman, declaring the original band "would never ever" perform at a Trump rally in a post on Instagram.

Back in 2020, Willis himself stated his band did not endorse Mr Trump, who has also deployed the group's track Macho Man at his rallies.

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He told the BBC, before his appearances 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.

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"As far as endorsing Trump, I don't endorse Trump, I've never endorsed Trump, nor has Village People. We have even asked him basically to stop even playing our music at his rallies."

Village People also scored hits with the likes of Go West and Can't Stop The Music, as well as notching up two UK hit albums. The group also starred in the 1980 American comedy film Can't Stop The Music, which served as a fictionalised account of the band's story.

The iconic group were renowned for their flamboyant stage costumes, with Willis taking on a variety of characters throughout their performances, including a police officer, admiral and an athlete.

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