“Trump Dance” sweeps the nation, invites massive whine session from the prudish, censoring left
You may have already seen it and not even noticed it, or have just passed it off as something
bound to fade within a matter of hours if not days, but the nation – and more specifically the sports world – has been caught up in displaying their own interpretations of the “Trump Dance” in recent weeks and doesn’t look to let up anytime soon.
Normally, when a “fad” appears, the mood behind it doesn’t last. The phenomenon in question usually endures for a long enough time to have t-shirts made, mugs fashioned or to earn a spot on the evening news, but this one – or at least the attitude behind it – seems to have a unique kind of staying power.
Have you seen it? The “Trump Dance” has been everywhere. In an article titled, “Joy and vibes: Trump’s signature dance takes post-election nation by storm”, Valerie Richardson reported at The Washinton Times last week:“Democrats have called him a fascist and worse, but ever since Donald Trump captured a second presidential term, a growing number of Americans are dancing to his tune. The Trump dance has become the surprise hit of the postelection season. In the two weeks since Mr. Trump’s victory, fraternity brothers, professional athletes and the president of Argentina have performed it.
“UFC champion Jon Jones broke out the moves after defending his heavyweight title at UFC 309 in front of Mr. Trump, who attended the Saturday bout at Madison Square Garden.
“’I also want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,’ Jones said in remarks from the octagon. ‘Hey, what do you think about my version of the Donald Trump? Check it out.’ The crowd erupted as Jones showed off his fist-punching, knee-popping moves while the president-elect applauded from ringside.”
Good fun, right? Cultural fads happen all the time and they tend to spread like wildfire once the spark has ignited the dry human nature kindling. Conservatives probably recall how, early in senile Joe Biden’s presidency, the phrase “Let’s go Brandon!” was unwittingly coined by an NBC Sports reporter at a NASCAR race and then you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone with a “Let’s Go Brandon!” shirt or bumper sticker affixed to his (or her) car.
I myself have such a shirt – a gift from my “with it” social media family, the members of which are much more socially astute and current than I am. I can’t tell you the number of comments I’ve received when displaying the message, the gist of the theme having stuck with people for a long time.
As would be expected, smart phone fueled social media platforms and memes were largely responsible for spreading the news on the “Trump Dance”, too, with conservatives anxious to “come out” of their self-imposed moratorium on public displays of support for the 45th-turned-47th president. Trump backers recall a time not too long ago when it was thought that being open in support of Trump would engender retribution from some off-balanced enraged leftists who could be prone to inflicting bodily harm.
My high school aged son appeared immune to caring about the peer pressure involved with being a Trump supporter, boldly displaying several bumper stickers on the car he drives to school and participating in several Trump flag waving sessions with local fans before Election Day. As someone in the news remarked recently, liking Trump is akin to being received at the “Cool Kids” table in the school cafeteria now.
This type of behavior has existed for as long as there’ve been people who craved approval and popularity. In the 1990’s it was the Macarena Dance, which you might still see on a cruise ship dance floor or at a wedding reception. Such usages demonstrate acceptance and bring good feelings inspired by crowd mentality.
Or who could forget the “African Anteater Ritual Dance” portrayed in the 1987 Patrick Dempsey movie, “Can’t Buy Me Love”? Once a “cool” kid starts doing it, everyone wants to join in.
Though I would suggest the “Trump Dance” is different than the other flash-in-the-pan fads, because the politician at its core was, not too long ago, viewed as cultural taboo in polite society. The very same athletes who are currently displaying the dance after touchdowns or quarterback sacks probably wouldn’t have been caught dead being associated with Trump just a few months ago, much less openly displaying their affection for the man – and his MAGA agenda.
How’d this happen? Why is it okay to be a Trump fan now? A few different reasons:
First, winning changes everything. Prevailing in the 2024 election by landslide proportions (in today’s political situation) helped people cast aside their apprehensions and “loosen up” a little. Or a lot.
Second, the Trump political brand has been bolstered by association with Elon Musk, Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan and the group of high-profile Trump backers. Seeing the crowd at New York City’s Madison Square Garden cheer the president-elect with his “entourage” was astonishing. Trump’s always been a celebrity, but ever like this?
Third, it’s much more fun to take part in a positive/support fad than in a negative/opposition one. This is the reason why the “Let’s Go Brandon!” slogan had little staying power. It’s more fun to be for something than against something, put it that way. It puts smiles on faces for the right reasons.
Lastly, the “Trump Dance” is genuine. Democrats tried to make senile Joe Biden “cool” by
devising the “Dark Brandon” theme, but nobody bought into it. Whereas the saxophone playing Big Bubba Bill Clinton and the “thrill up my leg” leftist adoration of Barack Obama seemed to stick to those politicians, everyone knew Biden wasn’t “cool” and no one wanted to be like him. It was fake and phony.
Will the “Trump Dance” endure? Time will tell. I haven’t seen any post-election favorability ratings, but it seems obvious there will be a “honeymoon period” of Trump affection that will last through the early part of his second administration, but if the public doesn’t begin to see positive changes in America – and rather quickly – the fun won’t last.
People are extremely fickle. And most on the left aren’t about to take a “Morning Joe” type attitude towards giving Trump a chance to succeed. The vast majority of Democrats will oppose Trump just for the sake of opposing him, and there isn’t anything he can do to appease the rabid abortion-loving feminist panties in a wad crowd.
Pent up rage and anti-establishment frustration becomes uninhibited joy in Republican land
While the popularity of the “Trump dance” was certainly difficult to foresee, the explanation for its catchiness wasn’t hard to understand at all. All any Trump backer had to do is remember back to the way they felt on January 6, 2021, or after the first Trump impeachment trial, or recall how the establishment media has treated the purveyor of “Make America Great Again” hundreds upon hundreds of times before -- and the whole sensation becomes rather perceptible.
Call it a “Cinderella syndrome” when the picked on or bullied American political stepchild finally gains a fairy godmother and goes to the ball where the handsome prince falls for her. How non-politically correct and old-fashioned, right?
Trump supporters have always been a tad uptight because they’ve felt like they had to repeatedly explain themselves to liberal relatives and friends as to why they appreciate and support a man who is reviled by so many woke cultural “influencers”. It wasn’t “cool” to like Donald Trump until recently. The man’s “fascist” reputation had become too ingrained to ignore.
That’s why the “Trump dancers” are so free to open up and let go now. Clear the dance floor, people. And better internalize and learn your own version of the “dance” while it’s still hot.
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