America's presidents have been called plenty of things over the years, but drag queens? That's a new one.
Artist Ashley Longshore is giving all of them a fabulous makeover in her new book, Politics Is a Drag, turning some of the most powerful men in American history into colorful, over-the-top drag personas. Think Abraham Lincoln with a glitter beard, George Washington serving looks, and Barack Obama getting a whole new identity as Barack O'Bottom.
And while the portraits are hilarious, there's a bigger message behind all the makeup, wigs, and rhinestones.
With drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community continuing to face political attacks, Longshore wanted to use her art to celebrate the very people being targeted, while poking fun at the men who have held the country's highest office.
"I have been exhausted by the news and politics," Longshore tells Out. "I was looking at a sea of old white men and decided I find it much easier to view these old stiff fuckers with a lil color and sparkles."
The book, which features a foreword by RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sasha Velour, arrived ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. And with the country fresh off another election season, Longshore's colorful take on American politics feels especially timely.
Out caught up with the artist to talk about the inspiration behind the book, her love for the drag community, the presidents who got the biggest glow-ups, and which powerful figures she'd like to drag next.
Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite presidential makeovers and hear what Longshore had to say about her delightfully diabolical project.
Meet the woman behind the presidential makeovers
Ashley Longshore poses alongside her fabulous collection of presidential drag makeovers.
Courtesy of Ashley Longshore
Ashley Longshore isn't exactly known for playing it safe.
The New Orleans- and New York-based artist has built a career around bold colors, pop culture, and a sense of humor that's just as big as her paintings. Her work has attracted celebrity collectors, including Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, and Christian Siriano, and she's made history with a solo exhibition at Bergdorf Goodman.
But for her latest project, Longshore turned her attention to American politics, giving every U.S. president a drag persona of his own.
"I love the art of drag so much and giving these men some glam made um a hell of a lot easier to look at," she says.
Ashley Longshore isn't afraid to make a statement, and her latest project is no exception.
Courtesy of Ashley Longshore
Longshore has also made a name for herself by doing things her own way, building a successful art business outside the traditional gallery system.
And she has some advice for other artists hoping to do the same.
"The key to being successful is to constantly be putting yourself out there, lift yourself up and tell yourself the reasons why you CAN not the reasons why you can't," she tells Out. "Do not let anyone undervalue you."
Start your engines, Madam Presidents!
Abraham Lincoln gets a drag makeover as Baberaham Lickin'
Courtesy of Rizzoli
First up? Honest Abe, who's trading his stovepipe hat for a little extra sparkle.
"I mean of course Abe Lincoln with his gorgeous glitter beard," she says when asked which president received the biggest glow-up. And his drag name? Baberaham Lickin'.
The book even gives him a cheeky caption: "Something about 'Four scoreplay'."
Barack O'Bottom enters the chat
Barack O'Bottom is ready for his close-up! Longshore gives the former president a cheeky new look.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Some presidential drag names came more easily than others. For Barack Obama, Longshore knew she needed something special.
"I spent a lot of time with Barack because I knew his name needed to be perfect. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks... Barack O'Bottom!"
She also credits the drag community with inspiring the humor behind the names.
"All of the presidential drag queens in Politics is a Drag are collectively inspired by the incredible drag community that I have loved for years," she says. "I also tried my best to capture the ginormous wit of the drag community. It ain't easy!"
Donald Trump gets the horror treatment
Donald Trump gets a Pennywise-inspired makeover, complete with sinister red clown makeup.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Of all the presidential makeovers in Politics Is a Drag, Donald Trump's might be the most unsettling.
Rather than the colorful wigs and glamorous accessories seen in many of the other portraits, Trump gets a horror-inspired look, complete with dramatic red clown makeup reminiscent of Pennywise from It.
It's a particularly creepy addition to a collection that's otherwise full of campy, over-the-top glamour.
And while Longshore doesn't specifically explain Trump's look in our interview, she makes her feelings about the current political climate pretty clear.
"I see it as a little bit of both," she says when asked whether the book is patriotic or rebellious. "A celebration of what true America is: Freedom and Self-Expression, while also rebelling against the current administration."
From powdered wigs to full drag fantasy
George Washington is serving founding father fabulous in heart-shaped shades, a colorful jacket, and a "free Britney" top.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
As Longshore points out, America's earliest presidents were already pretty familiar with makeup and elaborate hairstyles.
"Let's be real—our Founding Fathers wore powdered wigs and took baths together… they should do that again!" she jokes.
And according to the artist, some of them might have missed their true calling.
"Honestly all of the founding fathers with their powdered wigs and powdered faces truly missed their calling. John Quincy Adams (Bella D. Bawl) has a fierce beat and a lethal pout."
The presidential drag names deserve their own moment
Frankie Double D Hoesevelt and TheoDONG Rideher are serving presidential realness
Courtesy of Rizzoli
The paintings are outrageous enough on their own, but Longshore's drag names take things to another level. Her favorite?
"Honestly it's so hard to pick a favorite," she says. "I love the ones you mentioned, but two more that make me giggle everytime are 'Frankie Double D Hoesevelt' and 'TheoDONG Rideher'."
There's a message behind all that glam
Ronald Reagan, aka Miss Information, and Bill Clinton serve bipartisan drag realness in Ashley Longshore's Politics Is a Drag.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
For Longshore, Politics Is a Drag is about more than making people laugh. She also sees it as a way to stand up for a community that's facing political attacks.
"Ultimately, I want Politics is a Drag to be a true ally to a group of artisans that are being unfairly and venomously attacked by conservative tight asses," she says.
"As an ally to the LGBTQ community, it has never been more important to stand ten toes down for what you believe in. And I believe drag makes the world a better place! Drag is a rebellion as well as a beautiful art form. We need a lil bit of that right now."
A little patriotic, a little rebellious
Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy get the Longshore treatment
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Despite the book's irreverent take on American history, Longshore still sees it as a celebration of the country and the freedoms it represents.
"America is a melting pot of people who have the freedom to express themselves and we can not let the government take that away," she says.
For Longshore, that freedom also extends to pursuing the American dream on your own terms.
"Financial Independence is the American dream. Being able to love who you love, vote for who you want, donate to the organizations that you love… that's the American Dream. Giving back to the community is so important."
Sasha Velour understood the assignment
RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sasha Velour wrote the foreword for Politics Is a Drag.
Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage
Longshore also enlisted RuPaul's Drag Race season 9 winner Sasha Velour to write the book's foreword.
For the artist, Velour was the perfect person to introduce the project, particularly because of her advocacy and willingness to speak out.
"Sasha was the best choice for the foreword because this book is not only about drag but taking a stand for what you believe in, and Sasha has been the embodiment of this," Longshore says. "I love her so much, she is so fierce."
The LGBTQ+ community has always been part of her story
Artist Ashley Longshore is bringing some much-needed glam to American politics.
Courtesy of Ashley Longshore
Longshore's connection to the LGBTQ+ community extends beyond this latest project.
"The LGBTQ+ community and drag community mean everything to me," she says. "They have immensely supported me throughout my career."
She also credits queer culture as a major creative influence and says supporting LGBTQ+ organizations is an important part of her work.
Among the organizations she highlights are the Ali Forney Center, Callen-Lorde, the Trevor Project, and PFLAG.
"Love is not a political issue...it's a human one," she says. "I believe every person deserves the freedom to love who they want, be who they are, and live authentically without apology."
Who's getting dragged next?
Donald Trump gets a clown makeover. Many might say it's a fitting look.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
After giving America's presidents a drag makeover, who could possibly be next? Longshore already has a few ideas.
"I think it's time for some billionaires to get dragged… maybe Elona Busty (Elon Musk) or Jess Bosoms (Jeff Bezos)..."
And frankly, we'd love to see it.
Politics Is a Drag
Ashley Longshore's Politics Is a Drag gives America's presidents a fabulous new look.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Politics Is a Drag by Ashley Longshore, featuring a foreword by Sasha Velour, is available now from Rizzoli and wherever books are sold.
And because we couldn't possibly keep all this presidential fabulousness to ourselves, check out a few more of our favorite portraits from this must-have coffee table book below!
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon aka Tricky Dixon trades political scandals for glitter, rhinestones, and a whole lot of eye makeup.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Joe Biden
Joe Biden gets a little extra sparkle, complete with a glittery green eye and a red-lipped smile.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Herbert Hoover, aka Herhearty Hooha
Herbert Hoover, aka Herhearty Hooha, is serving dramatic lashes, bold red lips, and some serious drag attitude
Courtesy of Rizzoli
George W. Bush
George W. Bush gets a drag makeover complete with sky-high brows and shimmering blue eyeshadow.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter gets the glam treatment, proving there's always room for a little Southern belle energy in the Oval Office.
Courtesy of Rizzoli
