By ETT 
Meet Victor Willis, the Village People’s Original Police Officer
Victor Willis, the original “police officer” of the iconic disco group the Village People, will be performing at US president-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20. The group’s hit songs “YMCA” and “Macho Man” have become synonymous with the Trump campaign, but the inclusion of the group has surprised many, given their previous condemnation of Trump’s political stances.
Willis, the band’s only original member still with the group, defended the decision, explaining on Facebook that not only had “Trump love” resulted in “millions” for the band, but he also thought it would bring “the country together.”
Understanding Willis’s Change of Heart
Willis has previously spoken openly about his anger over Trump using “YMCA” at political rallies. In May 2023, he ordered a cease-and-desist letter be sent to Trump’s team after a Village People tribute band performed at a Mar-a-Lago event.
But in December 2024, Willis changed his tune, telling Fox News, “I decided to allow the president-elect’s continued use of ‘YMCA’ because he seems to genuinely, genuinely like the song and so many other artists were stopping him from using their music.”
Money Talks
Of course, money likely played a role in Willis’s decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration. The group has had a rocky history with the Village People, with Willis leaving the group several times and becoming embroiled in lawsuits over copyright infringement.
The group confirmed on January 14 that it would perform at Trump’s inaugural events. “Our song ‘YMCA’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” read a statement posted to their Facebook page.