The Trump dance takes over American sports: from UFC to the NFL

Trump ’s Signature Jig Becomes the Latest Sports Sensation Leave it to the U.S. president-elect to turn awkward, robotic dancing into the latest viral craze. Over the weekend, multiple sports stars followed the lead of Donald Trump, busting out his signature " Trump Dance " to celebrate victories. Imagine your awkward uncle at a wedding, tipsy on Aperol spritz, and you’ve got the picture—except now it’s sweeping through the NFL and UFC . Trump has been showcasing his offbeat dance moves at rallies for years, and while many have found it cringe-worthy, it seems to have cut through to mainstream culture. Now, his robotic jiving is popping up in unexpected places—sports arenas, to be exact. UFC Champion Jon Jones Gets the Party Started The Trump Dance made its debut in the Octagon when UFC champion Jon Jones celebrated his victory on Saturday night by copying Trump’s infamous jive. He even had an audience to appreciate the moment, with Trump himself, Elon Musk, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. watching from the sidelines. Afterward, Trump shared the moment on his Truth Social account, immortalizing Jones' tribute for his millions of followers. Jones’ dance move quickly became the talk of the town, and it didn’t take long for others to follow suit. The NFL Joins the Trump Dance Craze Not to be outdone, several NFL players decided to get in on the act. The Detroit Lions defense, led by Za’Darius Smith, performed the Trump Dance after a big play during their victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The dance’s stiff arm pumps and awkward hip rotation went viral as fans celebrated the Lions' thrilling win. Smith even added a golf swing flourish to the dance, a recent signature move from Trump himself. Who knew that politics and football would mix in such an unexpected way? More NFL Players Join the Dance Party The dance didn’t stop with the Lions. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also gave it a go after scoring a touchdown, admitting that he had been inspired by Jon Jones’ dance from the night before. "I watched the UFC fight last night, and Jon Jones did it. I thought it was cool," Bowers told a USA Today reporter after the game. Despite his enthusiasm, the Raiders’ PR team abruptly ended Bowers' media availability, apparently not keen on discussing the viral dance moment any further. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley also joined the Trump Dance trend, busting out his own version after scoring a touchdown during a game against the Minnesota Vikings. The dance, which includes rigid arm movements and robotic hip swivels, seems to be gaining traction across the gridiron. From MAGA Hats to Dance Moves: Trump’s Influence on Sports The rise of the Trump Dance comes just a week after San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa was fined more than €10,000 for wearing a " Make America Great Again " hat during a post-game interview. Bosa’s hat was considered a violation of NFL uniform rules, but his act of defiance reflects the broader influence Trump has had on the sporting world. While the Trump Dance may be seen as a quirky form of tribute, it’s clear that the president-elect’s influence in American sports is undeniable. Whether it's the UFC, the NFL, or anywhere else, Trump’s signature moves are making their mark—awkwardly, yet undeniably.