The controversy began when Matt Bernstein posted the photos on X, with the caption: “new: i have obtained a photo of jd vance in drag while at yale law school.” Travis Whitfill, who provided the photos, confirmed their authenticity, stating, “This was taken in 2012… Photo was taken by a classmate and sent to me.”
As the images went viral, they became the subject of online mockery, with one user joking, “Feelin’ cute. Might run for Vice President later.” Others, however, defended Vance, arguing that the photos were being misrepresented. One user pointed out, “People consider putting on a wig at a college party as drag? That’s an insult to my drag friends.”
Critics focused on Vance’s perceived hypocrisy rather than the act itself. One user wrote, “Call him a hypocrite and a bigot for demonizing others who wear drag,” highlighting the contradiction between the photos and Vance’s public stance on drag.