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Donald Trump’s quirky dance moves on the campaign trail have become the latest celebration craze in sports.
NFL stars, UFC great Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, and college football players have recently danced like Trump, turning their highlight plays into viral moments.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie sensation Brock Bowers was the latest to celebrate his touchdown score Sunday with a Trump dance in a 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins as his postgame media availability ended.
“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers told USA TODAY Sports, answering the last question of his postgame media availability. “I watched the UFC fight [Saturday] night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC so I saw it, and thought it was cool.”
Along with Bowers, Detroit Lions defenders Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez celebrated a stop, while Tennessee Titans players Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine prematurely celebrated a touchdown Sunday.
It’s a simple routine: Bend your elbows, close your fists, and move your arms back and forth as the Trump vibes flow. Add head-tiling and facial expressions for some flair.
Trump often performed the stiff boogie down that stole the show during campaign rallies across the country en route to winning the 2024 presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Now, a silly dance has become the latest intersection between sports and politics.
Trump was sitting ringside and appeared amused as Jones playfully gestured his iteration of the Trump dance twice at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden.
“I’m proud to be a great American champion. I’m proud to be a Christian American champion,” Jones said in his post-fight interview.
This latest Trump foray into sports is a far cry from just seven years ago when Trump accused NFL players of disrespecting the American flag by kneeling during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice.
Now, NFL athletes are being reposted and shared on the social media accounts of the 45th and 47th president.
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa started the Trump dance trend in the NFL during his Nov. 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, celebrating a sack with teammates Leonard Floyd, Sam Okuayinonu and Fred Warner.
Bosa’s dance earned him a shoutout from Trump on social media network Truth Social.
“I think you know the answer to that question,” Bosa told the San Francisco Chronicle last week when asked his inspiration for the Trump dance. “All the guys wanted me to do it. I wasn’t even going to do it, but the boys reminded me. And it was fun.”
West Virginia’s Nicco Marchiol also had his Trump dance posted by Trump on social media on Nov. 12.
Drake University’s Trey Radocha, Northern Illinois University’s Tristen Tewes and University of Texas defender Michael Taaffee have also celebrated with Trump dances during games. East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser may have started the trend in college with his celebration two days after the Nov. 5 election.
It’s no surprise the Trump dance has become viral. As much as the 78-year-old Trump has been divisive when it comes to politics, he’s been ingrained in pop culture for much of his life.
The Trump dance is challenging the political idea of athletes not “sticking to sports” with a silly dance that’s seems to be sticking around.