Gloria Gaynor, the iconic voice behind the disco classic “I Will Survive,” has been channeling her influence into politics in recent years.
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Gaynor has donated more than $22,000 to Republican candidates and committees since 2023.
The timing of these revelations coincides with Gaynor being named a Kennedy Center Honoree, a choice that has sparked discussion about how her legacy aligns with her political giving. Donald Trump, who claimed he was “98% involved” in the selection of honorees this year, is expected to attend the ceremony.
In the past, Gaynor had downplayed her political involvement. In 2017, she said she was “really not a political person” and avoided discussing policies. Until recently, her only political donation was a $35 contribution to Ben Carson’s 2016 campaign. That changed beginning in 2023, when Gaynor began making dozens of contributions to Republican figures.
Her donations, often processed through WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform, went to several high-profile names. These included $2,160.57 to Speaker Mike Johnson, $1,242.28 to Senator Josh Hawley, and $1,173.05 to Representative Jim Jordan. Other recipients were Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz, as well as former GOP presidential hopefuls Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley.
Records show that she also contributed to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the New Journey PAC (a group supporting Black conservatives), and various congressional candidates, including Wesley Hunt, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Elise Stefanik.
The Boston Globe noted that “I Will Survive” has been embraced for nearly five decades as a declaration of strength by Black communities, women, and LGBTQ audiences — especially during the AIDS crisis, Pride marches, and movements for equality. Gaynor herself has described the song as a “family heirloom” passed down through generations.
According to the Globe, with her political donations now on record and her upcoming Kennedy Center Honor tied to the current administration, her involvement has left many of the communities that once supported her feeling "betrayed."