Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) has denied reports that he competed in a drag queen beauty pageant in Brazil as he faces a slew of federal investigations into accusations of lying and possible issues with campaign fundraising.
The New York Republican, who has admitted to fabricating significant portions of his background, denied the new claims revealed in a tweet Wednesday from MSNBC reporter Marisa Kabas, who posted a photo she alleges to be of Santos dressed in drag in 2008. Kabas said she spoke with Eula Rochard, a Brazilian drag queen who allegedly was friends with Santos when he lived near Rio de Janeiro, who said she and her friends knew the now-congressman as Anthony or his drag name, Kitara.
Following Kabas’ tweet, other reports popped up with Santos’ alleged former acquaintances claiming he competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago.
The claims stand in stark contrast to the conservative views Santos has aligned himself with and the Republican Party’s recent crusade against drag shows and performers. Even though he has boasted of being an openly gay Republican, Santos has voiced support for far-right policies such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law.