For the past two weeks, a new celebration has taken the NFL by storm—the “Trump Dance.” If you’re unfamiliar, the dance involves a two-fisted movement popularized by President-elect Donald Trump, often performed at his rallies when the song “Y.M.C.A.” plays. The celebratory dance has made its way onto the football field, and some prominent players have been spotted joining in.
In Week 10, San Francisco 49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa was seen doing the “Trump Dance” during a highly televised game on FOX. The dance quickly garnered attention, with clips circulating on social media. Then, in Week 11, Detroit Lions pass rusher Za’Darius Smith also decided to show off his version of the “Trump Dance,” adding to the growing trend. He wasn’t alone—Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers were also caught doing the same celebration during their respective games.
The emergence of the dance has sparked significant discussion online, with reactions ranging from amusement to outrage.
Many fans took to social media to share their thoughts, with some seeing it as a playful and harmless gesture, while others viewed it as politically charged and controversial. Despite the heated debate, the NFL has taken a clear stance on the matter: players will not be disciplined for performing the “Trump Dance” during games.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy addressed the issue this week, stating unequivocally that there are no violations related to players using the Trump-inspired dance as part of their celebrations. “There’s no issue with a celebratory dance such as what took place [Sunday] or the previous week with the 49ers on November 10,” McCarthy told Front Office Sports. His comments made it clear that the league does not see the dance as an infringement on its rules regarding player conduct.
While the NFL has decided not to penalize players for the dance, TV networks are under no obligation to broadcast it. “It’s up to the networks to cover them as they see fit,” McCarthy added. This means that while players are free to celebrate in their preferred manner, broadcasters may choose whether or not to show those moments to their audience.
Interestingly, this comes just two weeks after Nick Bosa was fined by the NFL for wearing a MAGA hat.
The league cited its rulebook, which states that “throughout the period on gameday that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience, players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.” In Bosa’s case, the hat violated those guidelines, leading to the fine.
However, the “Trump Dance” falls into a different category. Unlike wearing political apparel, the dance itself doesn’t explicitly convey a written or illustrated personal message, which means it does not breach any of the NFL’s established rules. The NFL’s rulebook has strict guidelines for messages conveyed during games, but celebratory dances are generally more flexible, allowing players a degree of freedom to express themselves, as long as their actions don’t cross certain lines.
The controversy surrounding the dance reflects the wider cultural divide in the United States, as even lighthearted celebrations can take on political undertones.
The “Trump Dance” has become a symbol of this dynamic—while some fans appreciate the humor and spontaneity of it, others feel it brings politics onto the field in a way that shouldn’t be encouraged.
For now, the NFL has opted to let the players have their moment, as long as they stay within the broader parameters of the league’s rules.
With players like Bosa, Smith, Ridley, and Bowers joining in, it remains to be seen whether the “Trump Dance” will continue to grow in popularity or eventually fade away. For now, it stands as one of the more talked-about celebrations in the league, highlighting how even simple actions can generate national discussion.
The NFL’s decision not to impose penalties allows players the freedom to celebrate as they wish, leaving it up to the fans—and the networks—to decide how much attention these moments receive.
