It’s hard to believe, but the talk of the nation isn’t another policy proposal or political scandal—it’s Donald Trump’s now-iconic dance moves. Yes, the man once described by critics as dour and divisive has sparked a dance craze that’s sweeping social media and even creeping into sports arenas. After all the promises of “joy” from the Kamala Harris campaign, it’s Trump—the “Hitler comparison” guy, as his detractors like to say—who’s actually delivering a sense of fun. The irony couldn’t be more on-the-nose.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) helped fan the flames when he shared a montage of Trump-inspired dances following his re-election. The video opens with none other than Tim Walz, former running mate of Harris, lamenting on the campaign trail how his political opponents “stole joy from this country.”
Then, as if on cue, the beat drops to the Village People’s “YMCA,” the song Trump used as his rally anthem since 2020, closing out every campaign stop with a few light-hearted moves. What started as a tongue-in-cheek response to critics questioning his stamina has now evolved into something no one saw coming—a nationwide dance trend.
Make America Fun Again 🇺🇸 #TrumpDance pic.twitter.com/8ejExxt7B1
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) November 17, 2024
Donalds captioned the video, “Make America Fun Again,” and it’s gone viral, racking up over two million views in just twelve hours. Since the election, people of all walks—athletes, media figures, even kids on social media—have been hopping on the Trump-dance bandwagon.
Clips of NFL players grooving in end zones and TV personalities trying out the moves have lit up social media, and Sky News even covered it in a segment, observing that Trump’s signature dance is “winning him a lot of fans across the globe.”
The video also pays homage to the origins of this phenomenon, featuring San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who made headlines a while back for wearing a MAGA hat after a game. In a jab at the league that fined him, Bosa opted to adopt Trump’s moves on the field. Now, post-game celebrations are increasingly showing NFL players, once staunchly vocal on social justice issues, breaking into a Trump-style dance—moves that once seemed reserved for rallies are now out in full force.
Yesterday: fined $11,255 for wearing a MAGA hat
Today: celebrates with the iconic Trump dance after a sack
In a world of Colin Kaepernicks, be a Nick Bosa pic.twitter.com/eUBoZ6cXzI
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 10, 2024
It’s a wild turn, especially for a sport that’s been the center of heated cultural battles and one where athletes kneeling during the national anthem became a flashpoint. But somehow, in the midst of it all, Trump’s re-election has seemingly lightened the mood. Now, we’re seeing football players celebrating, dancing, and daring to show optimism for America. For many Americans who once quietly supported Trump, these shared, light-hearted moments have become a form of expression, a declaration that they’re no longer hiding their enthusiasm.
Bob Hoge, one of our colleagues, has pointed out that Trump supporters are feeling more emboldened than ever, and this joyful dance craze is just another indicator. For all the debates, accusations, and public trials, it seems Americans across the political divide are ready to share a laugh—and maybe even a dance move or two.
