The “Trump dance,” initially popularized at rallies for President-elect Donald Trump, has unexpectedly exploded into the world of sports. This weekend witnessed numerous US athletes adopting the distinctive fist-pumping celebration, marking a notable intersection of politics and sports. However, it was San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa who truly ignited this trend, leading to what is now widely recognized as the “Bosa Trump Dance.”
The dance itself isn’t new. Originating years ago at Trump’s political rallies, it was a signature move designed to energize supporters – a rhythmic pumping of fists alongside the body. Its virality surged last month when Trump, during a campaign town hall, paused proceedings to play his favorite music for an extended 40 minutes, engaging in his now-iconic swaying and dancing to anthems like “YMCA.”
However, the dance took on a new life following Trump’s recent reelection. American athletes, in a wave unseen during his first term, began incorporating it into their victory celebrations. This public embrace by sports stars, particularly the prominent “Bosa Trump Dance,” signals a shift in the landscape of athlete expression.
The phenomenon arguably began the weekend after the election when Nick Bosa, a known Trump supporter, unleashed the dance after a sack during the 49ers’ Week 10 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bosa, usually reserved in his celebrations, was joined by teammates in the impromptu routine. When questioned about the inspiration, Bosa’s response was telling: “I think you know the answer to that question.”
“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 elaborated to reporters from the San Francisco Chronicle, solidifying the “Bosa Trump Dance” as a moment that resonated beyond the football field.
This celebration came shortly after Bosa’s on-field political statement where he donned a “Make America Great Again” hat, showing his support for Trump – an act that resulted in a $11,255 fine from the NFL for violating rules against political messaging on the field. Despite the fine, Bosa’s influence in popularizing the dance was undeniable.
The “Bosa Trump Dance” effect extended beyond the NFL. At UFC 309 on Saturday, with Trump in attendance, Jon Jones marked his heavyweight title retention by performing the dance before acknowledging Trump ringside.
Jones then approached the president-elect, shaking hands and allowing Trump to hold his heavyweight title belt – a highly public display of support amplified by the “Bosa Trump Dance” preceding it.
Sunday saw a proliferation of “Trump dance” renditions across the NFL. Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley all showcased their versions of the celebration.
Bowers, when questioned by USA Today writer Safid Deen about his dance, referenced the trend: “I’ve seen everyone do it. I watched the UFC fight last night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC so I saw it, and thought it was cool.” The Raiders promptly ended Bowers’ media availability after this statement, highlighting the potentially sensitive nature of the celebration.
Beyond American football and UFC, British golfer Charley Hull also joined the trend, performing the dance on the fairway at the Pelican Golf Club in Florida during The ANNIKA event on Sunday.
Adding to the diverse adoption, US men’s soccer national team star Christian Pulisic performed the dance in St. Louis on Monday after scoring the opening goal in his team’s 4-2 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal.
However, Pulisic was quick to downplay any political undertones, emphasizing that the celebration was “not a political dance.”
He clarified, according to The Athletic: “I saw everyone doing it yesterday in the NFL, I saw Jon Jones do it, and we were just having a bit of fun. I thought it was a pretty fun dance. It’s not a political dance. It was just for fun. I saw a bunch of people do it and thought it was funny, so I enjoyed it.” Despite Pulisic’s denial, the dance’s origin and association with Trump are undeniable.
Double Standards in Athlete Expression?
The widespread adoption of the “Bosa Trump Dance” by athletes marks a significant departure from previous norms, where political expressions from athletes often drew criticism.
Historically, athletes like Colin Kaepernick and LeBron James faced backlash for their public stances on social and political matters. The rising popularity of the “Trump dance,” spearheaded by figures like Bosa, suggests a potential shift in public and media reception towards athlete political expression.
Conservative columnist Scott Jennings, speaking on CNN, commented on this apparent change: “Why shouldn’t they? Trump is back, America is back and once again, it’s cool to be Republican again.”
Conversely, Fox News contributor Jessica Tarlov pointed to a possible double standard. “I guess we’ve gotten to the portion of the Trump era where we have moved past ‘shut up and dribble’ and now it is fantastic for athletes to talk about their politics,” Tarlov stated on Fox News.
Whether a genuine shift in acceptance or a manifestation of double standards, the “Bosa Trump Dance” has undeniably become a cultural phenomenon, bridging the worlds of politics and sports in a way that sparks conversation and highlights evolving perspectives on athlete activism and expression.
