Shocking Phenomenon in China: Mimic Trump Dance, Buy $2700 Trump Statues & 880M Views on Trump

Since Donald Trump's re-election as President of the United States, an unexpected and vibrant trend has swept through Chinese social media. Trump's signature YMCA dance has become a phenomenon, captivating audiences and inspiring a wave of imitation videos from people across all age groups. From young adults to middle-aged individuals and even seniors, everyone seems eager to join the craze. Participants have brought the dance to life in various settings, adding their personal flair. These performances span solo acts, duets, and group routines, taking place in homes, workplaces, car exhibitions, streets, sports arenas, kitchens, and even public bathhouses. The videos brim with humor, creativity, and an infectious sense of joy. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, with a flood of videos continuing to appear on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. In one clip, a middle-aged man stands in his living room and says, It's been sunny for so long, and today it's finally raining. I decided to learn from President-elect Donald Trump and try his iconic dance. Searches for terms like girl imitating Trump dance, Trump teaching dance, Trump dancing YMCA, and full Trump dance routine have surged in popularity. Another viral video, titled Trump's unique dance, this little old man is just too cute, has captured the hearts of viewers. Some users have even created step-by-step tutorials to help others perfect Trump's now iconic moves. Donald Trump has undeniably become a new cultural icon on Chinese social media. During his campaign rallies, he often danced to the 1970s classic YMCA, and his distinctive moves have found a second home in China. What began as a hit in the U.S. has evolved into a sensation that resonates deeply with Chinese audiences. According to VOA, on Xiaohongshu, a social media platform akin to Instagram, the keyword Trump appears in over 200,000 posts and has amassed an astonishing 880 million views. Recent top posts have garnered more than 72,000 views each, along with thousands of enthusiastic comments. Meanwhile, videos featuring Elon Musk attending a pre-election Trump rally have also sparked excitement on Chinese social media. In these posts, Musk is celebrated as a good kind of capitalist and someone who will make America strong. The admiration for Trump extends beyond social media, reaching even the realm of Chinese craftsmanship. Hong Jinshi, an artisan from Fujian province, has sold hundreds of ceramic statues of Trump meditating, with the most expensive piece priced at $2,700. These statues first gained attention on the Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao in 2021 and have seen renewed interest leading up to Trump's potential second-term inauguration. So why do the Chinese admire Trump so much? In 2015, the Chinese public held a very different view of Donald Trump. When Trump first announced his candidacy, Chinese media referred to him as a clown. However, as the billionaire racked up victories in the primaries and unveiled his foreign policy agenda, he started to be viewed more favorably by Chinese media. Support for Trump also surged rapidly on Chinese social media. On Weibo, users created large fan groups such as the Trump Fan Club and Donald Trump the Great. A survey conducted by Global Times in late March 2016 revealed that 54% of Chinese respondents supported Trump becoming president, significantly higher than the 40% approval rate he had among Americans at the time. Trump is extremely, extremely popular among China's online community, said Keqiang Fang, a scholar specializing in Chinese media at the University of Pennsylvania. Much of the Chinese admiration for Trump stems from his business acumen. Modern Chinese society is obsessed with successful entrepreneurs, said Xincheng Shen, a veteran journalist at the paper. Over the past decade, Trump's name has permeated the Chinese market through luxury hotel projects in the U.S. and Southeast Asia aimed at Chinese tourists, as well as planned ventures in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. Trump himself has boasted about his successful business dealings with the Chinese. Trump's reality TV show The Apprentice also attracted a significant Chinese audience, while Ivanka Trump, his daughter, gained 15,000 followers on her Weibo account. Additionally, several Chinese businesses have drawn inspiration from Trump's name for branding purposes. Examples include the Shenzhen Trump Luxury Toilet manufacturer, the Trump Real Estate Consulting Company in Henan, and the Trump Electronics Air Purifier manufacturer in Anhui. So why do the Chinese admire Trump? One Chinese article offers several explanations. First, the Chinese appreciate Trump's blunt personality. The stark contrast between him and Kamala Harris during the election campaign earned him favor among the Chinese public. Many see Trump as someone who may be stubborn in his opinions, but is not malicious. Second, while Trump's America First ideology runs deep, he is perceived as pragmatic in his approach to policy regarding China. He tends to avoid ideological posturing in diplomacy and focuses instead on core issues. Third, his family is a major factor boosting his appeal. His successful children resonate with young Chinese audiences, and the positive public relations efforts by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have further enhanced his image. Notably, Trump's granddaughter, who recited Tang poetry and sang Chinese songs, bridged cultural divides and endeared the Trump family to the Chinese public. Many people have transferred their affection for his family into admiration for Trump himself. Fourth, Trump's bold and unconventional demeanor, both as a celebrity and businessman, adds to his appeal. Even satire and criticism of Trump often inadvertently boost his popularity, as his resilience and unique style win people over. Fifth, Trump's focus on the economy and concern for people's livelihoods has left a strong impression. Given the current state of China's economy, many feel the need for a billionaire president like Trump, someone capable of improving their incomes and providing better social benefits. Democracy activist Feng Guang shared with foreign media that Trump's dance has captivated young people in China because it symbolizes their yearning for freedom amid overwhelming social pressures. By mimicking Trump's moves, they express a desire for individuality and self-expression. Journalist Riona Shin added that China's youth are often crushed under authoritarian control and the daily struggles of life, making Trump's bold persona particularly appealing. Riona Shin also highlighted that Donald Trump's life is a powerful testament to perseverance. She noted that Trump never gives up when faced with adversity, avoids wasting time blaming others, and always moves forward with unwavering determination. His resilience and energy, she believes, could inspire Chinese youth to adopt a more proactive mindset. At 78, Trump remains committed to his goal of making America great again. He refused to concede the 2020 election, endured years of legal battles, and survived two assassination attempts during his campaign, all while continuing to fight against the odds to secure a decisive victory. Social media has amplified this admiration, with users sharing Trump's motivational quotes as a source of encouragement. One popular quote reads, Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair. You will find that things happen to you that you do not deserve, and that are not always warranted. But you have to put your head down and fight, fight, fight. Never, ever, ever give up. Things will work out just fine. Another widely shared saying states, I am too old to worry about who likes me and who dislikes me. I have more important things to do. If you love me, I love you. If you support me, I support you. If you hate me, I don't care. Life goes on with or without you. In an interview with Voice of America, Liu, a cultural worker from Jiangsu, described Trump as a figure who epitomizes resilience and strength. Despite setbacks like losing re-election, enduring legal challenges, facing assassination attempts, and dealing with the burdens of age, Trump has never stopped moving forward. Liu believes Trump's campaign song, YMCA, paired with his iconic dance moves radiates a contagious energy, something that many young people in China's lower and middle classes desperately need to uplift their spirits. Liu also praised Trump's straightforward communication style, contrasting it with the flowery and exaggerated rhetoric often found in Chinese political speeches. Trump, he said, speaks plainly and directly, making him relatable and genuine. For Liu, Trump embodies the American dream, success achieved through relentless effort and determination. This vision resonates with many Chinese youth, who dream of achieving their own goals despite societal obstacles. Liu sees Trump as a role model for this mindset, a figure who grows stronger with each failure, perseveres through challenges, and never stops fighting, even in old age. At the heart of this admiration is a deeper longing among Chinese youth for a fair and just society, one that allows individuals to achieve success through hard work, much like Trump has done. Some speculate that the promotion of Trump-related videos is part of a government effort to combat the lying-flat, passive mindset prevalent among young people, encouraging them to aspire for more. Chen Weiyu, an independent social media blogger based in the United States, explained that Trump's sudden rise in popularity on Chinese social media highlights a growing trend of young people bypassing the Great Firewall to access global information. She described this as a form of deprogramming, or quiet resistance, against state propaganda. In China, political idols are often crafted to project heroism, tapping into the public's admiration for exceptional figures to bolster government leaders. For example, Mao Zedong was hailed as the Red Sun, and Xi Jinping is now celebrated as Xi the Unparalleled. However, Chen argued that these figures are designed not to inspire hope, but to reinforce the regime's authority. Chen believes the lying-flat mindset among Chinese youth reflects their disillusionment with the country's future. Rather than placing faith in the current regime, many admire figures like Trump, viewing him as a symbol of freedom and optimism. Unlike state-imposed idols, Trump is admired voluntarily by the public. According to Chen, this admiration is a subtle yet powerful form of dissent, a way for people to voice their dissatisfaction with the communist system and its leadership. She further explained that this fascination with Trump reflects a deeper hunger for democracy and personal freedom. Many young people in China dream of the day they can hold a ballot in their hands and elect leaders they truly support. For them, Trump represents not just an individual, but a vision of what is possible when one refuses to give up. If you found this analysis insightful and want more engaging content like this, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated.