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President-elect Donald Trump‘s quirky dance moves are taking social media and the sports world by storm.
Videos of NFL stars, UFC fighters and college football players mimicking Trump’s dance moves, which include fist pumping the air and his signature golf swing, have gone viral on social media since Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers was among the latest athletes to repeat the dance, when he celebrated his touchdown Sunday during the team’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers told USA TODAY Sports. “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.”
But what exactly is the Trump dance and how did it start? Here’s what to know.
What is the Trump dance?
Several athletes, including NFL stars, UFC great Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and college football players, have recently been copying Trump’s dance moves, turning their highlight plays into viral moments.
USA TODAY reports that Trump’s moves “stole the show” while on the campaign trail leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Now, the silly dance has become the latest intersection between sports and politics.
The dance includes fist pumping the air and Trump’s signature golf swing.
Which athletes have done the Trump dance?
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman and former Ohio State Buckeye Nick Bosa started the viral trend after he performed the dance with teammates Nov. 10 during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bosa’s dance earned him a shoutout from Trump on the social media platform Truth Social.
“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,” Bosa told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bosa has been a big public supporter of Trump, even taking a fine for wearing a Make America Great Again hat on the field after a game.
Other athletes who’ve been spotted busting the presidential groove include:
- UFC Heavy Weight Champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.
- Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.
- Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith.
- Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
- Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
- Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
- U.S. men’s soccer player Christian Pulsic.
- West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Nicco Marchiol.
- Drake Bulldogs wide receiver Trey Radocha.
- Northern Illinois Huskies tight end Tristen Tewes.
- Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffee.
- East Carolina Pirates quarterback Katin Houser.
Why are athletes doing the Trump dance?
Trump, 78, has been ingrained in American pop culture for much of his life. So it comes as no surprise that his dance has become viral, with athletes doing it to celebrate their big moments.
Despite the divisiveness of American politics, the NFL has said it won’t be “cracking down on the dance,” which it does not see as a political statement, BBC reports. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports that the league has “no issue” with the “celebratory dance” but “it’s up to the (television) networks to cover them as they see fit.”
How to do the Trump dance
Bend your elbows, close your fists and move your arms back and forth. Add head-tiling and facial expressions for flair, per USA TODAY.
When does Trump go into office?
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn into office on Inauguration Day, which is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.