An image of JD Vance allegedly dressed as a woman and wearing a blonde wig was posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. The unconfirmed image quickly picked up steam and began trending under the hashtag #SofaLoren, a reference to the iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren and false claims that the Republican senator had sex with a couch.

ā€¦

Many commenters online connected Vanceā€™s alleged history of cross-dressing with his legislative historyā€”which has long been a point ofĀ concernĀ for LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

The Ohio senator introduced the ā€œProtect Childrenā€™s Innocence Act,ā€ whichĀ aims to criminalizeĀ medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care to minors.

The Republican vice presidential pick also supports measures to limit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity, and labeled critics of so-called ā€œdonā€™t say gayā€ legislationĀ ā€œgroomers.ā€