Charley Hull, the British golf star who’s gained a reputation for her lively on-course personality, once again sent fans into a frenzy over the weekend with her playful antics at The ANNIKA, part of the LPGA Tour.
Hull, already known for her candid and unconventional approach, stole the show when she mimicked President-elect Donald Trump’s now-famous “Trump dance” on the fairway, a move that’s quickly becoming a sports phenomenon. Hull’s lighthearted impression came as she strolled down the course with her caddie and competitor Nelly Korda, drawing enthusiastic reactions from fans and fueling her rising popularity.
Despite her narrow defeat to World No. 1 Korda, Hull left a lasting impression, finishing tied for second at 11-under par and winning fans over with her personality. Social media erupted with appreciation for Hull’s charisma, with fans taking to X (formerly Twitter) to declare her a “must-watch” in women’s golf and even their “new favorite golfer.” Others praised her boldness and unique sense of fun, with one fan humorously suggesting that her apparel sponsor, Malbon Golf, should release a “Trump-inspired” line.
Charley Hull pulled out the Trump Dance during her final round battle with Nelly Korda on Sunday. The move really is taking over the sports world. pic.twitter.com/tCJGyPSvh3
— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) November 18, 2024
Hull’s dance move mirrors a broader trend across professional sports, as athletes from the NFL to UFC have adopted Trump’s two-handed shuffle as a post-win or post-touchdown celebration. The “Trump dance” first gained notoriety as Trump’s quirky yet enthusiastic jig to “YMCA” by Village People at his rallies, and the move has since found its way into post-game celebrations.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers joined the trend, celebrating a key touchdown against the Miami Dolphins with the now-iconic shimmy, although CBS stirred controversy by editing out the dance in its post-game highlights, sparking backlash and accusations of bias on social media.
The NFL isn’t alone in feeling the heat from fans over the exclusion of Trump-related celebrations. Detroit Lions supporters were equally vocal after the team’s social media account omitted Za’Darius Smith’s Trump-inspired dance from its post-game recap. In the midst of this growing trend, Raiders’ Bowers remained subtle in his postgame comments, refraining from mentioning Trump by name, though his celebration unmistakably paid tribute to the President-elect’s dance. His post-game interview was unexpectedly cut short, prompting further speculation about media sensitivity around the trend.
The Trump-dance craze is also sweeping into other sports arenas. San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa was one of the first to showcase the dance on the field after a sack, joining Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Detroit Lions’ Smith, who followed suit. In a big moment in the UFC world, heavyweight champion Jon Jones celebrated his victory over Stipe Miocic by doing the Trump dance for the crowd, with Trump himself cheering him on from his VIP seat alongside tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In one of the night’s most viral moments, Trump, seated cage-side for UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, couldn’t resist dancing along to “YMCA” as the anthem boomed through the arena. Jones, riding high on the wave of victory after his knockout win, presented his championship belt to Trump, who beamed with approval.
