Saudi Arabia celebrates Donald Trump’s visit to the country by playing the “gay anthem”, “YMCA”
Published May 14, 2025 | By NewsJive.com
During former U.S. President Donald Trump’s official visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday, an unexpected and surreal moment unfolded live on television: the unmistakable disco anthem “YMCA” by the Village People suddenly blasted through the loudspeakers.
What made the moment particularly striking was the location — Saudi Arabia, a strictly Sunni Islamic kingdom known for its conservative religious laws and cultural restrictions. The song, widely recognized as a Western “gay anthem” and a symbol of LGBT pride, stood in stark and almost absurd contrast to the setting.
Commentators around the world questioned whether the move was a deliberate act of trolling or a case of cultural misunderstanding. Did the Saudi organizers knowingly choose “YMCA”, or were they unaware of the song’s meaning and iconic status in Western gay culture?