Victor Willis, the co-founder and frontman of Village People, passed away at the age of 74 on Tuesday. The music group announced the demise of Willis on its official Facebook page. The post said that the singer died of a "short but aggressive illness" and requested privacy. However, the exact cause of death was not disclosed in the post.Following the news of the singer's passing, tributes poured in on social media. President Trump also mourned the death of Willis, whose songs were played at his rallies. Victor Willis also performed during Trump's pre-inauguration rally in January last year. In his Wednesday Truth Social post, the POTUS remembered Wills as:"He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies. It became a "monster" hit, again, 30 years after its original launch. Many singers and groups wanted to get on board at the Rallies after all of the Rally Attendance Records were set - The crowds were, and are, enormous - But Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning! They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song."Trump added that Willis would be remembered every time Y.M.C.A is played. He wrote:"We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!"Victor Willis previously opposed Trump's use of his musicAs reported by Rolling Stone, Trump began using Village People's songs in his rallies in 2020. In a Facebook post, Willis objected to Trump's administration's handling of a protest and asked the president to "no longer use" any of his music at his rallies. Later in 2023, Macho Man was played at a Mar-a-Lago celebration where Trump reportedly danced alongside performers dressed as members of Village People. At the time, Victor Wills sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump's lawyer and lodged an objection.However, after Trump's second victory, Willis moderated his stance and authorized the use of his music. In his 2024 Facebook post, as reported by Deadline, Victor Willis mentioned that Y.M.C.A's popularity got a boost after its use by Trump at his rallies."The financial benefits have been great as well as Y.M.C.A. is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song. Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A. And I thank him for choosing to use my song," Willis posted.Victor Willis co-founded Village People with French producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo in 1977. However, Willis separated from the band two years later and rejoined it in 2017. The late singer is survived by his wife, Karen Huff-Willis.Also read: Who was Harold Wheeler? Dancing With the Stars honours musical director as he dies at 82