Republican Congressman George Santos has denied allegations that he performed as a drag queen in Brazil, despite photos and videos surfacing online. The New York representative, who admitted to embellishing his biography, insisted he was 'young and had fun at a festival' when confronted by reporters at an airport on Saturday.
Further evidence has emerged linking Santos to the performer known as 'Kitara Ravache' in Rio de Janeiro. Santos, who was sworn in three weeks ago, faces multiple calls to resign over lies about his education, work experience, campaign finances, animal charity, faith, and claims about his grandparents and mother.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated Santos would be removed if the House Ethics Committee finds he broke the law. The drag revelations come amid a Republican Party increasingly hostile to drag culture, with at least eight states introducing legislation to restrict drag shows.
Critics argue the anti-drag rhetoric is a backlash to LGBTQ visibility, with Harvard professor Michael Bronski comparing it to a 'moral panic' from the 1970s. Santos, who ran as an openly gay Republican, has previously described same-sex couples as 'an attack on the family unit' and supports Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law.
Drag performers like Jeff Livingston from Long Island report increased protests at events, with Livingston noting he no longer leaves in full drag for safety. 'Drag has become so mainstream that it's an easier target now,' he said.
