An intriguing phenomenon has captured the attention of social media users and the sports enthusiast community: the distinctive dance routine of President-elect Donald Trump. The dance, characterized by the leader’s unique fist pumping in the air and emblematic golf swing, has instigated a series of online tribute videos. These videos feature NFL stars, UFC combatants, and collegiate football athletes mimicking the ‘Trump dance’, and have proliferated online following Trump’s victory against Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
Noticeably, Brock Bowers, a rookie from the Las Vegas Raiders, emulated the dance after scoring a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins. This resulted in increased attention towards the trending ‘Trump dance’. Yet, one might wonder about the origins and specific attributes of this most recent social trend known as the Trump dance.
A plethora of athletes, including reputable NFL players, UFC’s formidable Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, and various college football stars, have started incorporating the Trump Dance into their performances, thereby catapulting their spectacular plays to viral status. The dance, centered around fervent fist-pumping and a representation of Trump’s iconic golf swing, has become increasingly sought after.
Nick Bosa, the San Francisco 49ers lineman and Ohio State Buckeye alumni, has been identified as the initiator of this viral wave. Bosa made headlines with his rendition of the dance along with his teammates during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading to a rapid spread of the trend.
Upon executing this dance, Bosa was acknowledged and appreciated by Trump, thereby giving added impetus to the dance. This unique groove has since been adopted by many athletes, adding a presidential touch to their celebrations.
Amongst these adopters of the dance are notable figures such as UFC Heavy Weight Champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers, Detroit Lions’ Za’Darius Smith, their teammate Malcolm Rodriguez, Tennessee Titans’ receivers Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and U.S. soccer player Christian Pulsic.
The dance’s popularity extended to West Virginia Mountaineers’ quarterback Nicco Marchiol, Drake Bulldogs receiver Trey Radocha, Northern Illinois Huskies’ Tristen Tewes, Texas Longhorns’ Michael Taaffee, and East Carolina Pirates’ QB Katin Houser. These are some of the prominent individuals who helped in amplifying this trendy celebration, contributing to its virality.
Donald Trump, at 78, continues to permeate American pop culture, reaffirming his longstanding and varied influence in the public sphere. The viral stature of his dance, with athletes adopting it in their moments of victory, underscores his enduring impact.
Concerning the discord in national politics, the NFL has declared that its lack of intervention in the dance’s popularity is due to a perception of it as a non-political statement. The players are hence free to incorporate the dance into their celebrations without fear of penalty.
The steps are simple for anyone wishing to do the Trump dance: Clench your fists, keep your arms bent at the elbow, and perform a rhythmic back-and-forth arm movement. For an added layer of expressiveness, head tilting and facial expressions could be incorporated.
In the wake of the 2024 election, Trump, alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, is scheduled to take their oaths of office on Inauguration Day. The revered ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025, within the historic U.S. Capitol building, standing tall in Washington, D.C.