US Congressman George Santos was a drag queen in Brazil 15 years ago: what was he called and what was his dream

US congressman George Santos competed as drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years agoas declared by two acquaintances to the news agency Reuters on Wednesday, which adds to the contrasts that have aroused criticism of the staunchly conservative views of openly gay Republican congressman.

The embattled new congressman has also faced calls from his fellow New York Republicans to resign over the falsehoods about his career and history.

A 58-year-old Brazilian artist, who calls herself Eula Rochardsaid she became friends with the now congressman in 2005 at the first gay pride parade in Niteroi, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Three years later, Santos competed in a drag beauty pageant in RiverRochard declared. Back then, the now congressman called himself “Kitara”.

Another person from Niteroi who knew the deputy but asked not to be named said that he participated in drag queen beauty pageants and aspired to be Miss Gay Rio de Janeiro.

Emails sent Wednesday night to the congressman’s press office and a newly hired communications director were not returned.

Santos is the first openly gay republican who wins a seat in Congress without being a candidate, but has positioned himself as a staunch conservative on many social issues.

Has supported the bill “don’t say gay” Florida, which prohibits discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in class.

Republicans are increasingly denouncing drag shows and performers, claiming they are harmful to children.

Santos, in response to criticism received in October for his support for the “don’t say gay” law, told usa today: “I am openly gay, I have never had any problem with my sexual identity in the last decade, and I can tell you and assure you that I will always be an advocate for LGBTQ people”.

Rochard said the deputy was a drag queen “poor” in 2005, in a simple black dress, but in 2008 “she returned to Niteroi with a lot of money” and an extravagant pink dress to prove it. Santos competed in a drag beauty pageant that year but lost, Rochard said.

“A lot has changed, but it was always a liar. He was always a dreamerRockard said.

Santos lies to get to Congress

The congressman acknowledged having made up details about his upbringing and previous work while campaigning for the mid-term legislative elections last November 8.

This was admitted during an interview with The New York Post after the diary The New York Times revealed that the congressman had lied on his resume and that he had not obtained the University degrees what he claimed to have

Santos had affirmed that he worked in the consultancies Goldman Sachs and Citigroup and who had graduated from the new york universitysomething that was not true.

The congressman assured in the interview with the post that he “never worked directly” with either firm and asserted that he will be “more clear about it” in the future. He also confessed that he did not graduate from New York University, nor from any institution of higher educationdespite his earlier claims, according to information from The Hill.

Santos also made claims about his Family history that could not be proven, such as that his mother’s parents were Ukrainian Jews who fled from nazi holocaust to Brazil. However, the records obtained by The New York Times showed that his mother’s parents were born in Brazil and did not have Ukrainian or Jewish ancestors.

“My sins here are embellishing my resume. I’m sorry,” the Republican legislator said. New York Postinsisting that the controversy will not prevent him from “a good legislative success”.

From the Democratic Party, however, they have already requested the Santos resignationclaiming that he has defrauded voters.

“Republican congressman-elect George Santoswho has now admitted his enormous lies, I should resign. If it doesn’t, then the Republican Party should ask for a vote to expel himthe Democratic congressman said on Twitter. ted lieu.

another democrat from NYthe congressman Ritchie Torres, urged House Ethics Committee to investigate the fundraising of the Republican during the election campaign.

“George Santos admits that his life story is a complete fabrication. His unfortunate confession should not distract us from concerns about possible criminality and corruption. The Ethics Committee should investigate how you made your money. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Ritchie said.

Santos also admitted to having lied when stating that he owned 13 different propertiessaying that he now resides at his sister’s house in huntingtonbut you are looking to buy your own home.

In his first bid for the Chamber, Santos said in a 2020 financial disclosure that he had no assets or earned income, citing only a fee worth more than $5,000

But when he filed his 2022 financial statement, he stated that he was worth millions of dollars, and that most of the wealth came from an investment company. Florida of which he was the sole owner: the Devolder Organization.

In accordance with The Washington Postvarious documents filed with the Florida Secretary of State show that Santos organized the company in May 2021, a month before he declared his last candidacy. A little over a year later, on July 30, 2022, the financial data company dun & bradstreet estimated that Devolder had income of only $43,688.

(With information from Reuters, Europa Press and The Washington Post)

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