China pays tribute to Trump in one of his favorite ways: closing state banquet with YMCA

The Chinese government honored President Donald Trump at the state banquet Thursday by ending the night with a rendition of the “YMCA” by the Village People – one of the president’s favorite campaign songs.

The ornate dinner, attended by Trump, President Xi Jinping, top U.S. and Chinese officials as well as other high-profile individuals, featured a music program including songs such as “We Are the World” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

But the final song, “YMCA” appeared to be a direct appeal to Trump, who often dances to the Village People’s famous song at the end of his rallies.

A White House official confirmed to The Independent that the “YMCA” was part of the music program.

Other governments have played the song for Trump when he is conducting overseas visits. The South Korean military brass band played the “YMCA” for the president when he visited in October.

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Trump began using the widely-known song to close-out his campaign rallies during the 2020 presidential race. As the song blasts through speakers, the president will do his signature dance – rocking his hips side to side while using his fists to demurely punch the air.

The song and dance have become a staple of the president’s rallies and speeches. He takes it with him to address crowds, domestically or internationally.

Last May, Trump ended his address at the U.S.-Saudi investment forum in Saudi Arabia with the “YMCA,” despite the country having strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the song being a gay anthem.

He danced to it after addressing U.S. troops in Japan last year, while influencer and boxer Jake Paul dance to it after a rally in Kentucky recently. Even Argentinian President Javier Milei danced to it last year while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

The song has become so heavily correlated with Trump, that the Village People have begun performing it live at high-profile events featuring the president.

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They performed for the president at his inaugural ball in January 2025 as well as as the FIFA World Cup draw in December.

China’s decision to include the song as part of its music program was among the displays of showmanship to strength the U.S.–Chinese relationship.

During the banquet, Xi gave a toast to the president, saying the rejuvenation of China and Make America Great Again agenda went hand-in-hand, according to a translation from the New York Times.

Trump returned the remarks by thanking the Chinese president for a “magnificent welcome” and invited Xi to visit the White House in September.

China’s Military Band also played “America the Beautiful.”

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