JD Vance claims ‘gay wizard’ costume was the result of losing a bet
JD Vance says he only dressed as Dumbledore as he ‘lost a bet’ (Getty Images | X/VP)
JD Vance has said he only dressed up as gay Harry Potter character Professor Dumbledore because he “lost a bet”.
The Vice President shared photos and videos of himself dressed up as characters from JK Rowling’s literary world, alongside his family. He could be seen in a shaggy grey wig and silver robes.
His costume choice became a hot topic on social media, with many pointing out he was dressed as a canonically gay character (according to Rowling, after the books came out).
Vance has now spoken about the costume and questions. He said at a campaign rally: “People said, ‘Why did you go as Dumbledore?’ And I said, ‘Well, because I lost a bet with my children, that’s why.’ Why else would a grown man dress up in an ugly wig? Which was very uncomfortable, by the way.”
In true JD Vance style, he continued: “I looked more like an Iranian sheikh than I did an American vice president in that costume.”
Social media mocks JD Vance
Social media users were quick to pick at Vance as Dumbledore, considering he previous comments about the LGBTQ+ community.
One said: “You know Dumbledore was gay, right?” Another suggested he was dressing in drag, which the Trump administration has targeted previously. They said: “A drag queen?? In front of children?? Arrest this man!!”
Another, referencing his floor-length, swishy robes, added: “We thought you had an issue with men wearing dresses?”
Is Professor Dumbledore gay?
In 2007, after the final Harry Potter book was published, JK Rowling confirmed Dumbledore is canonically gay, though it isn’t referenced in the novels.
It came long before her very public views on the trans community, which have since caused protests at Harry Potter events, such as at a Cursed Child gala performance, and even the opening of a flagship Potter shop on London’s Oxford Street.
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