Trump hits sour note with Village People: Cease-and-desist letter sent to stop use of songs

The Village People sent a cease-and-desist letter to former President Donald Trump, asking him to stop using their music.

Karen Willis, Village People manager and wife of lead singer Victor Willis, sent the letter, blasting a recent video from Mar-a-Lago showing Trump dancing to the band’s “Macho Man” alongside a dancing group of Village People impersonators.

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The letter asserted that the performance is “unauthorized,” noting that “many fans, and the general public as well, mistakenly believe” the real Village People band were the ones performing. Willis claimed the performance violates the Lanham Act, United States trademark law protecting owners “against the use of similar marks if such use is likely to result in consumer confusion.”

“Though my husband has tolerated your client’s use of his Village People music, we cannot allow such use by him to cause public confusion as to endorsement,” Willis wrote to Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina.

“Therefore it is requested that he cease and desist any such further unauthorized use of the Village People image in association with the songs and his campaign (or in his personal capacity),” her letter continued. “Otherwise we shall be forced to bring suit preventing further use, not only of the Village People trademarked image and trade dress, but of the music as well (and we’d hate to have to do that) but such combined use causes public confusion and is suggestive of endorsement.”

Willis then demanded that Trump and his lawyers respond with his intentions within 10 days.

In response to the letter, Tacopina reportedly said he would only correspond with the lawyers of the Village People.

“I will only deal with the attorney of the Village People, if they have one, not the wife of one of the members. But they should be thankful that President Trump allowed them to get their name back in the press. I haven’t heard their name in decades. Glad to hear they are still around.”

Village People songs “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man” have become regularly featured at Trump rallies.

In February 2020, the Village People’s Facebook page commented on Trump’s use of their songs, saying they were tolerating it because “our music is not being used for a specific endorsement.”

“Like millions of Village People fans worldwide, the President and his supporters have shown a genuine like for our music,” the post said. “Our music is all-inclusive and certainly everyone is entitled to do the Y.M.C.A. dance, regardless of their political affiliation.”

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However, Willis reversed course when protesters were cleared from Lafayette Park in June 2020.

“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,” Willis wrote on Facebook. “Don’t do it Mr. President! 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.”