Village People Lead Singer Dies At 74, Trump Pays Tribute

Victor Willis, the lead singer behind the iconic hit song “Y.M.C.A.,” died on Tuesday. He was 74 years old.

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Willis’ wife posted online that the Village People frontman suffered from a “short, but aggressive illness.”

“It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS. Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026, as a result of a short, but aggressive illness,” she wrote on Willis’ Facebook page. “The family request privacy at this time of great loss.”

Willis and his bandmates performed at multiple rallies for President Donald Trump, who loved the “Y.M.C.A.” jam and routinely played it to close out his political rallies. The president on Wednesday morning paid tribute to Willis, noting that the singer was there with the Trump team from the beginning.

“Village People singer Victor Willis is dead at 74,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his group’s song, YMCA, at my Rallies. It became a ‘monster’ hit, again, 30 years after its original launch.”

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“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!” the president said. “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,” Trump added. “My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!”

It was in fact the “Y.M.C.A.” tune that seemed to launch the ever-popular “Trump dance,” where the president pumps his arms and sways while the song closes out his rallies.

Willis, born in Dallas, Texas, co-founded the Village People in 1977. He typically dressed as a policeman to perform Y.M.C.A., which he co-wrote.

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