Hunter Biden says ‘closeted mafia’ runs DC and makes big Lindsey Graham declare
Hunter Biden has ignited a major political storm after claiming a “closeted gay mafia” of Republicans runs Washington DC’s “closetocracy”, then naming Lindsey Graham
Hunter Biden on the I’ve Had It podcast(Image: I’ve Had It/Youtube)
A “closeted mafia” of Republicans runs Washington DC and late senator Lindsay Graham was gay, Hunter Biden has claimed in bombshell podcast appearances.
The son of the former President Joe Biden made the comments across a string of media appearances this month, arguing that America’s capital is dominated by what he dubbed a “closetocracy” – powerful politicians who he alleged are secretly gay.
Speaking on the I’ve Had It podcast with hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan, Biden said the biggest problem in government “isn’t an oligarchy”, but instead what he claimed was a hidden network of closeted lawmakers.
The son of the former President of the United States has sparked a furious political row(Image: I’ve Had It/Youtube)
He alleged: “There is like this closeted gay mafia, largely Republican, that exists in Washington, D.C., and everybody knows every single one of them who’s gay.” Biden went further, suggesting closeted politicians suffer internal conflict which, he argued, spills over into public hostility.
The 56-year-old went on to claim it can fuel anti-LGBTQIA+ voting and a push towards Christian Nationalism as “overcompensation” for their private lives. Biden doubled down, stating: “For Lindsey Graham, like everybody knows that Lindsey Graham was gay, right?”
The remark triggered immediate blowback, with critics noting Graham repeatedly denied rumours about his sexuality throughout his lifetime. Additionally, no evidence was offered to support Biden’s claim.
He alleged: “There is like this closeted gay mafia, largely Republican, that exists in Washington, D.C.”(Image: I’ve Had It/Youtube)
Reaction online was swift and divided. Some LGBTQIA+ voices criticised the comments as irresponsible, arguing that speculating about someone’s sexuality is harmful.
Others on social media were more dismissive, with one Reddit user writing: “I find the idea of there being a ‘closeted gay mafia’ in the Republican party hilarious!” Another posted: “A tale as old as time,” while a further comment read: “Things get a little interesting when mud gets slinged both ways.”
Biden’s comments also reignited debate about Graham’s long voting record on LGBTQIA+ rights during his three decades in federal office. Graham co-sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, voted for a Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006, and later voted against the Respect for Marriage Act.
He also opposed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2010, voted against workplace protections under ENDA in 2013, and was a vocal opponent of the Equality Act, with advocacy groups such as GLAAD long listing him as a key adversary of major LGBTQIA+ legislative milestones. The US senator and close confidant of Donald Trump died at the age of 71 on Saturday (July 11).
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
