A photo of Ohio Senator JD Vance (R) wearing a blonde wig and a long dress has gone viral, igniting a discussion about the Republican Party’s views on drag and LGBTQ+ rights. While Vance has not commented on the matter, former Rep. George Santos has come to his defense.

The images were first shared on social media by Matt Bernstein, who captioned them, “new: I have obtained a photo of JD Vance in drag while at Yale Law School.”

The photos’ authenticity was confirmed by Travis Whitfill, who received them from a classmate in 2012.

The photo sparked significant reactions, with many criticizing Vance for denouncing drag while having participated in it himself. One commenter remarked, “Don’t call JD Vance weird because he wore drag.

Call him a hypocrite and a bigot for demonizing others who wear drag.” Another quipped, “Feelin’ cute. Might run for Vice President later.”

Conversely, Santos defended Vance, suggesting the photos were from a college house party and should be viewed as a silly costume rather than drag. He stated, “To call that drag is disingenuous. It’s definitely not drag.”

This ongoing debate underscores the complexities of attitudes toward drag and personal expression, highlighting the conversations about LGBTQ+ rights within the Republican Party.