Legendary US disco group the Village People have despatched Donald Trump a authorized letter after a video emerged of him dancing to one among their hit songs.
The footage exhibits the previous president having fun with a reside tribute efficiency of Macho Man whereas at a poolside ceremonial dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
The 76-year-old, who desires to return to the White House in 2024, has recurrently used the group’s songs, notably Macho Man, in his marketing campaign rallies.
But the Village People’s supervisor has now written a stop and desist letter to the previous president to insist the group didn’t play the occasion and that it was an “unauthorised” efficiency of the track.
Karen Willis, the spouse of lead singer Victor Willis, additionally demanded that Mr Trump, cease utilizing the group’s likeness in future.
Village People
In a letter to Mr Trump’s legal professionals, she wrote: “(Since the video)… we have been inundated with social media posts about the imitation performance where many fans, and the general public as well, mistakenly believe to be that of the actual Village People.
“Therefore the efficiency has, and continues to trigger public confusion as to why Village People would have interaction in such a efficiency. We didn’t.”
“Though my husband has publically tolerated your consumer’s use of his Village People music, we can not permit such use by him to trigger public confusion as to an endorsement.
“Therefore it is requested that he cease and desist any such further unauthorised use of the Village People image in association with the songs and his campaign (or in his personal capacity).”
Mrs Wilis mentioned that if Mr Trump didn’t cease utilizing the band’s picture, the group would deliver additional motion, together with stopping the usage of their music.
“And we’d hate to have to do that,” she added.
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Mr Willis, the lead singer of the legendary 70s and 80s band, has beforehand commented on Mr Trump’s use of his songs, together with Macho Man and the group’s world hit Y.M.C.A.
In February 2020, Mr Willis distanced himself from Mr Trump, saying that he would permit the usage of the band’s songs, however that it didn’t imply an endorsement.
He wrote in a Facebook put up: “Our music is all-inclusive and certainly everyone is entitled to do the Y.M.C.A dance, regardless of their political affiliation.
“Having mentioned that, we actually do not endorse his use as we would choose our music be saved out of politics.”
However, Mr Willis asked Mr Trump to stop using his music in June 2020 after it was claimed that the then-president wanted to use the US military to quell Black Lives Matter protests.
Sky News has contacted representatives for the Village People and Mr Trump for remark.
Content Source: information.sky.com