Art

Politics is a Drag

Sequins, satire, and star-spangled glamour collide in this glitter-drenched celebration of American history, remixed through Longshore’s fearless, irreverent imagination.

Slaying runway-worthy fierceness, this volume fantastically imagines all U.S. presidents as full-face drag fantasy—Founding Fathers serving powdered-wig pageantry, Lincoln glowing in rhinestoned resolve, and Obama radiating pure runway poise. Vivid color, electric detail, and unapologetic attitude burst from each portrait, painted in Longshore’s unmistakable pop-art maximalism dialed all the way up. Printed on luxurious, high-gloss pages, the portraits explode with glitter, bold color, and unapologetic sparkle, shining as brightly as the world they reimagine.

Never-before-published presidential paintings strut onto the page alongside hilarious stage names and captions, written with Longshore’s razor-sharp wit and a dash of historical mischief—including Baberaham Lickin’ (“Something about ‘Four scoreplay’”) and Herhearty Hooha (aka Herbert Hoover’s) “Sucks harder than the Great Depression.” This sassy commentary, paired with familiar figures remixed into drag royalty, reveals the campy contradictions stitched into the American experiment—and proves that satire ages far better than politics.

A subversive celebration of self-expression, queerness, and the theatrical spectacle of American power, the book stands as both homage and send-up—patriotic, playful, and joyously unrestrained. For collectors, pop-culture devotees, and fans of Longshore’s iconic audacity, it offers a winking reminder that history is always ripe for reinvention, especially when glitter is involved.

About The Author

Ashley Longshore is a New Orleans– and New York–based contemporary artist celebrated for her bold, vibrant, and unapologetically pop sensibility. Sasha Velour is an American drag queen, artist, actor, and stage and television producer.

  • Publish Date: September 01, 2026
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Art - Individual Artists - Monographs
  • Publisher: Rizzoli Universe
  • Trim Size: 9-3/8 x 12-1/2
  • Pages: 160
  • US Price: $50.00
  • CDN Price: $67.50
  • ISBN: 978-0-7893-4663-6

Author Bookshelf: Ashley Longshore