Stephen Chan, the White House communications director, shared a semi-nude photo on Thursday, claiming it shows former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and suggesting it was uploaded to the gay dating app Grindr.
In a post on X, he remarked, “Literally, it’s you,” alongside the controversial image.
The caption of the photo states, “Adam Kinzinger loves showing off his tattoos on GRINDR,” with part of it seemingly sourced from the now-closed photo app Snapchat.
While the individuals’ faces in the photos are not visible, there’s no way to verify the images’ authenticity. The graphic implies that Kinzinger’s U.S. Air Force pilot badge tattoo corresponds to a tattoo visible on the individual in the alleged Grindr photo.
However, Kinzinger’s tattoo is located on his right arm, while the person in the image appears to have their tattoo on the left arm.
Representatives for both Chan and Kinzinger did not reply to requests for comments. White House officials considered Kinzinger after he criticized Republicans for not opposing Trump’s White House Ballroom project. Notably, Kinzinger is married and has young children.
Kinzinger remarked, “Not a single elected Republican will speak up,” which included footage of the East Wing of the White House being demolished for the ballroom.
Chan has a reputation for attacking media figures and responded to Kinzinger’s criticism, suggesting that “the ballroom is going to be very glamorous. Even your naive fool will want to go there.”
Kinzinger then posted an image of a Trump aide’s face with the caption, “Literally you,” seemingly ridiculing Chan’s looks.
Previously, Chan had also shared an image that he claimed depicted Kinzinger half-naked.
Kinzinger has long been a vocal critic of Trump, being one of two Republicans on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, the other being former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). He voted to impeach Trump in 2021 concerning his alleged involvement in the events of that day and chose not to seek re-election in 2022.
