What Is The 'Trump Dance'? Memes About Jon Jones Doing Donald Trump's Signature 'YMCA' Dance Explained

Ah, the "Trump Dance" — one of America's many unexpected contributions to interpretive art.

Former President Donald Trump first graced our screens with his signature move in October 2020 when he fist-pumped his way through the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." in a humorous manner.

Fast forward to 2024 when Trump just cinched his second election victory. The move is officially back, spreading like wildfire across TikTok, Twitter / X and, for some reason, MMA rings. Love it or hate it, the Trump Dance is an instantly recognizable boogie that is quickly becoming some people's go-to emote.

So what's the origin behind Donald Trump's iconic dance moves, how did it become incorporated in memes and why did it become yet another dance trend on social media? Here's a quick recap of when and how it became such a meme.

When Did Trump First Do His 'Trump Dance'?

In October 2020 during a campaign rally in Florida, then-President Donald Trump introduced what would become his signature dance move, comprised of a series of fist pumps and subtle knee bends performed to the beat of the Village People's hit song "Y.M.C.A."

This impromptu choreography quickly caught public attention, with supporters viewing it as a display of vitality following his then-recent recovery from COVID-19, while critics perceived it as a tone-deaf gesture amid the ongoing pandemic.

How Did The 'Trump Dance' Become A Meme And Dance Trend?

The "Trump Dance" evolved into a widespread meme and trend when TikTok users began remixing footage of Donald Trump's rally performances. A notable example is a mashup combining Savage's 2005 track "Swing" with Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," which garnered over 9 million views in just two days.

This trend inspired numerous TikTokers to create their own versions, mimicking Trump's distinctive moves and contributing to the meme's viral spread.

TikToker @julia_keith_ is often credited with starting the Trump Dance trend on the video-sharing app in October 2020, while TikToker @nathanlust gathered over 40 million views on his Trump Dance video in November 2020.

@julia_keith_ #duet with @crisnate0 ♬ Viva La Swing aka #SandoTwist by @Abiud_Sando

@nathanlust Reply to @abbeyyyyy ♬ On My Mind (Video Audio) – Diplo & SIDEPIECE

Why Is The 'Trump Dance' Having A Resurgence Today?

The "Trump Dance" has experienced a resurgence online following President-elect Donald Trump's recent victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Internet jokesters have recently begun posting half-ironic "dance tutorial" style videos for the choreography, while supporters revived his signature moves from 2020, sharing videos and memes that celebrate his return to the political stage.

@thesailoracademy Get Ready for Nov. 5th with this Donald Trump Dance Tutorial! #trump2024🇺🇸 #trump #maga #election #election2024 #winning #dance #trumpdance ♬ Y.M.C.A. – Village People

@ttuxtrk

TRUMP DANCE❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

♬ son original – Viral-Videos

The trend gained further momentum when UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones performed the Trump Dance after his knockout victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in mid-November 2024. With President-elect Trump in attendance, Jones's homage resonated with fans and amplified the dance's visibility across social media platforms as it once again sparked a dance trend.

Jon Jones did the Trump dance after knocking down and beating Stipe Miocic 😭 pic.twitter.com/Bv719AjIf0

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) November 17, 2024

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For the full history of the Trump Dance, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry here and here for more information.