A photo of Ohio Senator JD Vance (R) wearing a blonde wig and a long dress has recently gone viral, sparking a debate about the Republican Party’s stance on drag and LGBTQ+ rights. While Vance has remained silent on the issue, former Rep. George Santos has spoken out in defense of Vance.
The photos first surfaced on social media, posted by Matt Bernstein on X with the caption, “new: I have obtained a photo of JD Vance in drag while at Yale Law School.” The authenticity of the photos was confirmed by Travis Whitfill, who received them from a classmate in 2012.
Unsurprisingly, the photo generated strong reactions. Many criticized Vance for attacking drag while having a history of enjoying it himself. One person commented, “Don’t call JD Vance weird because he wore drag. Call him a hypocrite and a bigot for demonizing others who wear drag.” Another sarcastically wrote, “Feelin’ cute. Might run for Vice President later.”
However, Vance also found support from Republican U.S. representative George Santos. Santos argued that the photos were taken at a college house party and should be considered more as a goofy costume rather than drag. He emphasized that many people, including couples, experiment with gender-bending costumes. Santos stated, “To call that drag is disingenuous. It’s definitely not drag.”
The debate continues to generate discussion and highlights the complexity of attitudes towards drag and personal expression. Regardless of differing opinions, it is clear that Vance’s drag photos have drawn attention and ignited conversations about LGBTQ+ rights within the Republican Party.