The Village People have asked Donald Trump to stop playing their music at his rallies.
The disco group’s songs “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man” have recently been heard playing at a series of events hosted by the US president.
In a statement posted on Facebook, The Village People frontman Victor Willis revealed he was prompted to take a stand after Trump seemingly threatened to shoot protesters in Minneapolis.
“If Trump orders the U.S. military to fire on his own citizens (on U.S. soil), Americans will rise up in such numbers outside of the White House that he might be forced out of office prior to the election. Don’t do it Mr. President!” Willis wrote.
“And I ask that you no longer use any of my music at your rallies especially ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and ‘Macho Man.’ Sorry, but I can no longer look the other way.”
Both Village People songs have been played at Trump’s public appearances for years, including, most recently, when he attended the launch of the SpaceX rocket with vice president Mike Pence.
The tweet which prompted Willis to change his stance on the use of the songs was posted on 29 May, and read: “....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way.
“Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”
The post was flagged by Twitter for violating the website’s rules against glorifying violence.
