RuPaul’s advice to ‘party and dance’ in the face of ‘fascism’ divides fans

RuPaul has divided fans after posting an Instagram video about the political climate in America, in which he said “fascism is back” and suggested the “only thing we can do” is “to party and dance”.

In the clip, RuPaul opens by saying: “Okay, there is no easy fix,” before arguing that education cuts have helped create today’s political moment. “We are talking 45 years of undereducation in this country, when they started defunding educational programmes in schools and everything,” he says.

He links that to a lack of “rational thinking or critical thinking”, adding: “They won,” before sarcastically continuing: “You know, fascism is back. Yay!”

RuPaul then says: “I mean, at this point, the only thing we can do, our only comeuppance, is to party and dance. And have fun, and laugh.” He ends the message with: “Join me.”

The post prompted thousands of comments, with reactions ranging from praise for “queer joy” as resistance, to criticism that RuPaul should be doing more given his wealth and influence.

One supportive comment read: “Queer joy has always been an act of resistance. Protect that joy as if your life depends on it, because it does!” A critical comment said: “I get what you’re trying to say but as a multi millionaire, there’s a lot more you can do to fight fascism.”

Fans debate “party and dance”

Posts and reposts of the video circulated widely on X, with users arguing over whether “party and dance” was a call to stay visible and joyful, or a complacent response to a serious threat.

Some commenters framed the message as a reminder that queer people have long found community and survival through nightlife and celebration, even in hostile political moments. Others pushed back, arguing that joy cannot be the only response.

Lushious Massacr urges “push back”

Drag queen Lushious Massacr also weighed in, agreeing that protecting joy matters but urging people to take further action.

She wrote: “YES, we must party and dance and NEVER allow them to take away our joy but that’s not all we must do. We must also FIGHT… not with violence but WE MUST PUSH BACK AT EVERY TURN and we have to learn to DEFEND ourselves. WE MUST PROTECT OURSELVES. NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE US, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SAVE OURSELVES.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.