President Donald Trump said First Lady Melania Trump dislikes his dancing to the song “YMCA.”
The admission provides a rare glimpse into the private dynamics of the first couple and the differing standards they maintain for the image of the U.S. presidency.
During a CNN interview on the program *Erin Burnett OutFront*, Trump discussed his signature dance moves [1]. He said that Melania Trump prefers a more refined approach to public appearances and has expressed disapproval of the specific choreography associated with the song [2].
Trump said that his wife believes the dance is not presidential [3]. According to reports, Melania Trump has told him, "Darling, please don’t dance" [4].
Despite the disapproval, the president has continued to perform the dance during public events. Trump said, "She thinks my YMCA dance is unpresidential" [5]. This statement occurred on Jan. 6, 2026 [6].
The interaction highlights a tension between the president's populist style of engagement and the first lady's preference for traditional formality. While Trump often uses these dance moves to energize crowds, the first lady's critique suggests a desire for a more reserved executive presence.
Reports on the matter vary regarding other figures. Some sources suggest Trump said that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro copied the dance, though other primary reports focus exclusively on the disapproval from the first lady [7].
“"It’s not presidential."”
This exchange underscores the divergent public personas maintained by the Trumps. While the president utilizes high-energy, unconventional behavior to maintain a connection with his base, the first lady's preference for a 'presidential' demeanor reflects a more traditional adherence to the decorum historically expected of the Office of the President.
