Donald Trump is a big fan of the Village People.
The ex-president hired a group of impersonators to perform the group’s hit song “Macho Man” at Mar-a-Lago. A clip of Trump dancing to the song has been making the rounds online, showing the impersonators dressed like the Village People and dancing beside a pool.
TMZ reports that the Village People sent Trump a cease-and-desist after the clip had fans wondering if the actual artists are Trump supporters.
The wife of lead singer Victor Willis sent the letter to Trump, demanding he no longer hire impersonators to perform Village People songs. Willis claims people now think the group has endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign, which they haven’t. The group also never gave Trump permission to use their image or likeness at his party.
The cease-and-desist apparently says Willis has “tolerated” Trump using the group’s music before but this new incident is their breaking point. Willis said the group will hit Trump with a lawsuit if he doesn’t agree to their demands.
Trump attorney Joe Tacopina told TMZ in response, "I will only deal with the attorney of the Village People, if they have one, not the wife of one of the members. But they should be thankful that President Trump allowed them to get their name back in the press. I haven’t heard their name in decades. Glad to hear they are still around."
The Isaac Hayes estate hit Trump with similar threats back in November after the 76-year-old launched his presidential campaign with the Sam & Dave song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” which Hayes co-wrote with David Porter.
“Once again, the estate and family of Isaac Hayes DID NOT approve the use of ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ by Sam and Dave by Donald Trump at his 2024 Presidential announcement tonight,” the official account for Hayes tweeted. “We are exploring multiple legal options to stop this unauthorized use.”
