President Donald Trump slipped into full stand-up comic mode Tuesday morning, drawing laughter from House Republicans as he joked that First Lady Melania Trump “hates” when he breaks out his now-famous YMCA dance.
Speaking to House Republicans in Washington, D.C., Trump told lawmakers that his wife finds the dance move unpresidential, even though crowds at his rallies enthusiastically demand it. With perfect comedic timing, Trump described the ongoing back-and-forth between himself and the first lady over the routine that has become a staple of his appearances.
“She’s a very classy person, right? She said it’s so unpresidential,” Trump said, smiling as the audience began to laugh. “She hates when I dance,” he continued, explaining that he insists the crowds want it, even as Melania voices her objections.
Trump then mimicked the first lady, gritting his teeth as he recalled her reaction. “‘Darling, it’s not presidential,’” he said, before delivering the punchline that sent laughter rippling through the room. According to Trump, Melania once asked him, “‘Could you imagine FDR dancing?’”
The president paused, scanning the audience with raised eyebrows and a look that suggested disbelief. Lawmakers laughed as Trump let the moment land. “And I said, ‘There’s a long history that perhaps she doesn’t know,’” he added with a grin, prompting another wave of laughter.
The reference, of course, was to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who could not dance due to being paralyzed from the waist down after contracting polio in 1921. Roosevelt relied on a wheelchair during his presidency, making Trump’s tongue-in-cheek remark land even harder with the crowd.
Trump has embraced the Village People’s 1970s hit “YMCA” as his signature rally anthem, often punctuating events with the simple dance that sends supporters into a frenzy. The move has become part of his larger-than-life political persona, blending entertainment with populist appeal in a way few modern politicians attempt.
The president said Melania remains unconvinced that voters genuinely enjoy the routine. “She said they don’t like it, they’re just being nice to me,” Trump recounted. “I said that’s not right, the place goes crazy. They’re screaming ‘Dance!’”
Despite the joking tone, Trump took a moment to acknowledge Roosevelt, calling him an “elegant fellow,” even as he noted their partisan differences. “I have to admit it, even though he was a Democrat,” Trump said, keeping the mood light.
The humorous exchange came amid a broader address focused on politics and the future of the Republican Party. Earlier in his remarks, Trump predicted that Republicans would defy historical trends and polling expectations, forecasting what he called an “epic” midterm victory later this year.
The combination of humor, confidence and cultural references underscored Trump’s ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. By turning a lighthearted disagreement with the first lady into a comedic moment, Trump reminded allies why his rallies and speeches continue to draw enthusiastic crowds — dancing included, whether Melania approves or not.
