Santino Rice, known for his role as a judge on the early seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has once again stirred controversy by publicly endorsing Donald Trump for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Once a key figure in the Drag Race world, Rice’s recent political statements have ignited a wave of criticism from prominent queens within the franchise.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Rice declared his support for Trump, dismissing Kamala Harris as unfit for leadership. He went on to describe Trump as the only viable candidate capable of “rebuilding America.” These comments did not sit well with many in the drag community, particularly given Trump’s administration’s history of policies harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, including attempts to roll back protections for transgender people.
Several notable drag queens, including Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney, voiced their disapproval of Rice’s statements. Chaney, using Drag Race’s signature phrase, told Rice to “sashay away” in response to his endorsement. The outrage extends beyond Rice’s political stance, as his social media posts have also included offensive remarks about Kamala Harris and spread misinformation about vaccines.
Rice’s endorsement of Trump, a candidate with a track record of targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including baseless accusations of transgender surgeries in prisons, brings to light the broader issue of how political endorsements can impact public figures in the LGBTQ+ community. The intersection of drag culture and politics highlights the responsibility of those in the public eye to consider the implications of their statements on marginalized communities.
The backlash against Rice serves as a reminder of the power and influence that Drag Race alumni hold within the LGBTQ+ world, where support for policies that threaten the rights of queer individuals is met with swift condemnation. The queer community continues to face challenges in the political arena, and endorsements such as Rice’s underscore the importance of solidarity in resisting harmful ideologies.