George Santos competed as drag queen in Brazil, acquaintances say

New York Republican under pressure over fabrications about his career, past and alleged criminal behaviour

The New York congressman George Santos competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago, two acquaintances have said, drawing further attention to the contrast between the Republican’s past actions and his staunchly conservative views.

The embattled freshman congressman, who is gay, also faces calls from Democrats and his fellow New York Republicans to step down over fabrications about his career and history and amid reports of investigations at local, state and federal level in the US and in Brazil over the use of a stolen cheque book.