President-elect Donald J. Trump hosted his Make America Great Again Victory Rally, showcasing a peculiar blend of right-wing and mainstream pop culture icons. The event featured Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, and the Village People, all of whom have appeared to embody conflicting ideologies.
Kid Rock, known for his provocative lyrics, performed alongside Lil Nas X, a queer hip-hop artist. Meanwhile, Billy Ray Cyrus was scheduled to perform but only made an appearance during sound check. The Village People’s rendition of “Y.M.C.A.” closed the rally, with Trump joining in.
The event highlighted the contradictions inherent in American pop culture, where opposing interests coexist and sometimes intersect productively. The speeches delivered by Trump and his surrogates presented nativist and isolationist views, yet also acknowledged diversity and inclusion.
Trump himself appeared to be aware of this tension, using music as a way to promote unity and nostalgia. He referenced Run-DMC songs in a video message during Kid Rock’s performance. However, the pre-rally soundtrack predominantly featured classic hits from the 1970s and 1980s, which some interpreted as an attempt to reassure the majority white crowd.
The event also showcased figures like Dana White and Anuel AA, who acknowledged Trump’s appeal to nonwhite voters. Nevertheless, the presence of Stephen Miller and Megyn Kelly, who advocated against diversity initiatives, underscored the contradictions present in the rally’s message.
Ultimately, the music at the rally served as a complex reflection of American pop culture, where competing interests and ideologies converge.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/arts/music/trump-village-people-kid-rock.html