Hung Cao, the Republican Senate nominee in Virginia, recently made controversial remarks disparaging drag queens and those who are tolerant of them during a televised debate with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine. Cao implied that individuals who identify as drag queens are not tough enough to serve in the military, stating that the Navy should not be recruiting drag queens. He expressed his belief that the military needs “alpha males and alpha females” who are willing to make extreme sacrifices in order to win wars.
The discussion stemmed from Cao’s previous comments linking the White House’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to military recruitment issues. Cao, a Navy veteran who served with special operations, expressed concern about the military’s failure to meet recruitment goals in recent years. He specifically called out a Navy program that included a petty officer second class who performed in drag as part of a recruitment initiative. The program ended in April 2023 following Republican criticism.
Cao’s campaign responded to the backlash by defending his comments, stating that he was simply speaking the truth that many people believe. He reiterated his belief that individuals who are willing to make extreme sacrifices, such as “ripping out their own guts,” are better suited for military service than drag queens. Cao’s campaign website highlights his military background and emphasizes his experience with special operations in conflict zones.
During the debate, Sen. Tim Kaine challenged Cao’s argument, stating that the military should focus on reaching out to new constituencies and highlighting the benefits of military service. Kaine, who previously served as Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election, dismissed the notion that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a distraction from the military’s recruitment goals.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Cao in the Senate GOP primary, and Cao later spoke at the Republican National Convention. Despite the endorsement, the Cook Political Report characterizes the Virginia Senate seat as “solid” Democrat, indicating that Kaine is favored to win re-election. Cao’s controversial remarks have generated debate and criticism, drawing attention to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the military and political spheres.
