"Certified new meme has been unlocked": Internet reacts as Jon Jones does the Donald Trump YMCA dance in viral video
Heavyweight champion Jon Jones turned heads on Saturday as he channeled the iconic Donald Trump YMCA dance moves. Jones pointed towards the President-elect seated in the cageside row of the audience as he celebrated his victory against Stipe Miocic at the UFC 309.
The 78-year-old President-elect attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at New York City's Madison Square Garden. He was accompanied by UFC President Dana White, his D.O.G.E. pick Elon Musk, Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Director of Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, and singers Jelly Roll and Kid Rock.
At one point during the show, the 78-year-old moved his fists back and forth, seemingly doing the YMCA dance as the song played in the background. However, Jon Jones' unexpected victory dance to Y.M.C.A. seemingly amused the President-elect, his entourage, and the audience.
The moment was captured and soon began circulating on social media, earning further reactions from netizens.
"Certified New Meme has been unlocked," wrote one X user.
"The goat recognizing the goat," commented another.
"Leave it to DJT to create a new cultural revolution," said one.
Another fan said the crowd was elated after Trump won the presidential election.
"The excitement & happiness after Trump won is beyond words. Everyone is swept up in it."
"Greatest post fight speech/celebration I've ever seen, and I've been watching the UFC since the 90's," a UFC fan remarked.
"The universal sign of WINNING !" wrote one X user.
Jon Jones gave a shout-out to the president-elect during his winning speech:
"I also want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight."
Jones went on to tease the audience again with the YMCA dance moves, asking them about their thoughts on this take. He added:
"I'm proud to be a great American Champion. I'm proud to be a Christian American Champion."
Jon Jones also handed over his winning belt to the President-elect, who looked elated with the gesture. He shook hands with the MMA star and exchanged some words.
Stipe Miocic, the former UFC Champion, on the other hand, announced it was his last cage fight:
"I'm done, I'm hanging them up. I'm retiring, thank God."
Trump danced to the track Y.M.C.A. for the first time in 2020
The 1978 song Y.M.C.A., by the disco musical group Village People, became a staple in Donald Trump's celebratory gestures in 2020 after recovering from COVID-19. Soon after, the then-president returned to campaigning in Florida for the presidential election in October.
Toward the end of the rally, the Republican president danced to the Y.M.C.A. song on stage as he punched the air back and forth in a rhythmic motion with his fists. The song and Trump's dance moves soon became a signature among his supporters.
The President-elect continued to do his YMCA dance on various other occasions. During the 2024 election, many MAGA supporters made TikToks as they imitated the president-elect's YMCA dance.