Anderson Cooper looking like he’s having an out of body experience while ‘Macho Man’ interrupts a live Trump rally report is truly all of us
Anderson Cooper just about managed to keep a straight face during the live report (Twitter/CNN)
Anderson Cooper appeared to be having an out of body experience as the Village People’s “Macho Man” blared over a live report from a Trump rally.
The CNN anchor desperately tried to keep a straight face while Gary Tuchman reported live from Trump’s rally in Sanford, Florida, Monday night (October 12), only to have his words almost drowned out by the gay, multi-racial disco group.
Unfortunately the irony of a virulently homophobic president walking on stage to the soundtrack of a gay anthem was entirely lost of the largely-maskless crowd. But it was evidently clear to Cooper, who appeared to be screaming internally throughout the whole report.
Nevertheless, as a consummate professional he somehow managed to hold it together, presumably by briefly departing to another plane of existence.
“Thanks. Enjoy ‘Macho Man’,” he wryly replied at the end of the segment.
Cooper’s incredulous thousand-yard stare was noticed by many viewers, who shared his pain on social media. “Anderson Cooper is every gay man in America right now,” summarised one.
Anderson Cooper’s face when he hears they are playing “Macho Man” at @realDonaldTrump ‘s rally. ???? pic.twitter.com/1SK23Z6yeR
— Jonah Rodriguez (@BookofJonah) October 13, 2020
Tonight we are all Anderson Cooper.
— Cathy King (@cathyking08) October 13, 2020
Anderson Cooper’s facial expressions about Macho Man playing is how I feel about 2020. pic.twitter.com/QZZLe99RXQ
— Sabryia? (@_siilah) October 13, 2020
He deserves a fucking Oscar for that performance. #suchcomposure
— ARREST BREONNA TAYLOR’S MURDERERS NOW! (@weezerchickadee) October 13, 2020
Has any clip ever needed the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme more
— Amanda Borowski (@Uhmanduh) October 13, 2020
As it happens, Donald Trump has a complicated relationship with the Village People.
The Trump campaign has repeatedly played the band’s two biggest hits, “YMCA” and “Macho Man” at his rallies, a song choice that must somehow make sense to the president if no one else.
In February the group said that Trump was free to use their music as long as it was not suggesting their endorsement, which it technically isn’t. However, they changed their tune in June in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Singer Victor Willis said in a statement: “If Trump orders the US military to fire on his own citizens (on US soil), Americans will rise up in such numbers outside of the White House that he might be forced out of office prior to the election. Don’t do it Mr President!
“I ask that you no longer use any of my music at your rallies especially ‘YMCA’ and ‘Macho Man’. Sorry, but I can’t support what you’re proposing.”
Trump ignored the request and has continued using the songs as he heads into the homestretch of the 2020 election, continuing a trend of “willfully ignoring” artists’ rights to their own music.
