Village People say President Trump has been 'respectful' of their songs, has every right to play them at rallies — and leftists go nuclear

The Village People's iconic disco-era tune "Macho Man" blasted through the speakers at a stadium as President Donald Trump made his entrance during a visit to India earlier this week — and many among the 100,000-plus in attendance cheered, danced, and appeared quite ecstatic

But left-wing fans of the Village People? They're not happy in the least.

What's going on?

Seems the Village People have been getting an earful from folks who are hoppin' mad that the group's music is played at Trump rallies.

So the Village People on their Facebook page sent a message to their fans addressing the issue:

"We have received numerous requests demanding that we prevent or ban President Donald Trump's use of our songs, particularly 'Y.M.C.A.' and 'Macho Man,'" the group's post began. "With the latest use of 'Macho Man' in India, we are being inundated and can no longer remain silent."

The Village People went on to say that since their music "is not being used for a specific endorsement, the president's use is 'perfect[ly]' legal" and that Trump "has remained respectful in his use of our songs and has not crossed the line."

The group added that "if he or any other candidate were to use any of our songs in a manner that would suggest our endorsement, or in a promotional advertisement, that would cross the line."

"Like millions of Village People fans worldwide, the president and his supporters have shown a genuine like for our music," the Village People concluded. "Our music is all-inclusive and certainly everyone is entitled to do the YMCA dance, regardless of their political affiliation. Having said that, we certainly don't endorse his use as we'd prefer our music be kept out of politics."

Let the backlash begin

As you might expect, leftists flipped out at the Village People over their position on the issue:

• "How is Trump, who is ENDORSED by the GOP, not an endorsement of your music being used by a specific party? Really disappointed in the band for taking this stance."
• "You've lost the f***ing plot. Where is your sense of self-respect?"
• "This should be a no-brainer: simply by having your material as accompaniment to Trump's events, whether it's playing under his entrance onstage or used to get the crowds going, it is by definition promotional. You're being disingenuous when you deny the obvious: the audience is going to associate what they hear with what they see, and pretending it's all a non-partisan use of your songs is willful blindness. This is an administration directly and proudly dedicated to defeating inclusiveness in this country, so it's shameful that your music, which has always promoted tolerance and acceptance, should be used as a rallying cry to bludgeon those who believe in the sanctity of 'all men created equal.' But perhaps it's my bad: I keep forgetting that artistry doesn't necessarily come equipped with integrity."
• "You can choose to distance yourself from the perception that you are endorsing Trump by requesting that he no longer use it, as other artists have already done. Considering the administration's actions toward the LGBT community, I would think you would want to make a bolder statement than this. Enjoy those royalties."
• "Cop out."
• "Seriously? What the actual f*** guys. You're better than this."
• "Disappointing...wonder how much you got paid and how much you needed the money...let's face it, that's what it boiled down to...Trump is the biggest disgrace this country has ever seen, and you fed right into it."
• "Whatever helps you sleep at night. Gross."
• "Ugh. No."

But a cursory look at the comments the group received showed that the majority were positive, thanking the Village People for taking the high road in an entertainment universe full of political venom. Here's one of the more humorous takes:

Image source: Facebook