Donald Trump dance, explained: How the president's celebration invaded sports, from Jon Jones to Nick Bosa

Dan Treacy

•
Donald Trump dance, explained: How the president's celebration invaded sports, from Jon Jones to Nick Bosa image

It was less than seven years ago that then-president Donald Trump aggressively took on the NFL when players took a knee during the national anthem in protest of racism and police brutality. Oh, how times have changed.

Just under two weeks after he was elected the 47th president of the United States, Trump was all over the NFL in Week 11 without actually attending a game. Multiple sports personalities emulated the dance moves he displayed at his campaign rallies, with the UFC's Jon Jones perhaps serving as inspiration after his Trump-themed celebration in front of the president-elect on Saturday. 

That doesn't mean opposition to Trump doesn't exist in the sports world anymore; plenty of athletes and coaches, including the NBA's Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers, will tell you that's far from the truth. The weekend certainly signaled a bit of a culture shift, though, and some big names are getting in on the fun.

Here's what you need to know about Trump's famous dance and why it's taking over the sports world. 

MORE: How good is Donald Trump at golf?

What is the Trump dance?

Trump has often closed his rallies by dancing to "YMCA" over his last two presidential campaigns, first breaking out the moves on a regular basis during the outdoor rallies that defined the 2020 campaign.

The dance is pretty simple, which is no surprise considering Trump is in his 70s. The president-elect pumps his fists back and forth to the music, though he's occasionally tossed in a new move here and there; he added a golf swing to his routine at some rallies late in the 2024 campaign. 

The NFL has no problem with players using the Trump dance as a celebration, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, who adds that the league only disciplines players for celebrations "deemed excessive or inappropriate." 

Donald Trump dance video

Trump's dance re-gained attention on social media throughout the 2024 campaign, and it's evidently broken through to mainstream culture if the sports world is any indication. It has been contagious across sports since the Nov. 5 election victory, starting with Jones' dance right in front of Trump after UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16.

After 49ers DE Nick Bosa broke out the dance moves in Week 10, four players did the Trump dance on Sunday: Raiders TE Brock Bowers, Titans WR Calvin Ridley and Lions pass-rushers Za'Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez.

Here's a look at each of the dances. 

Athletes doing the Donald Trump dance

Jon Jones

Jones did an especially animated version of Trump's dance in front of the man himself after defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, also giving the president-elect a thumbs-up.

Brock Bowers

Raiders rookie Brock Bowers hit the Trump dance after a touchdown against the Dolphins, though the team ended his media availability when he was asked about it after the game.

Calvin Ridley

Titans WR Calvin Ridley did the dance after what he thought was a long touchdown against the Vikings, prompting celebration from Team Trump, but the score would be negated by a penalty.

Za'Darius Smith

Za'Darius Smith hit the Trump dance in his first game with the Lions. He and teammate Malcolm Rodriguez even added in the golf swing after the veteran's sack of Mac Jones on Sunday.

Nick Bosa

None other than 49ers star Nick Bosa arguably got the trend started in the NFL when he and his teammates did the dance in Week 10 just days after Trump's election win. Bosa has been an ardent supporter of Trump, even taking a fine for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat on the field after a game.

Christian Pulisic

USA Soccer star Christian Pulisic broke out the Trump dance after a goal against Jamaica on Nov. 18.

"Obviously that's the 'Trump dance,'" Pulisic told reporters after the match. "It was just a dance that everyone’s doing." 

NCAA football

College sports may be where the trend actually started, though, as numerous players have busted out the dance in the days following Trump's election. Drake wide receiver Trey Radocha was among the first.

Zach Sieler

Dolphins DL Zach Sieler and some of his teammates broke out the Trump dance during a blowout win over the Patriots on Nov. 24. Trump's son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara Trump were in attendance for the game. 

Zaven Collins

Cardinals LB Zaven Collins did the Trump dance after a strip-sack of Geno Smith on Nov. 24.

Barnsley

The dance even made it overseas, as players from Barnsley performed it after scoring a goal.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.