He admitted he was guilty of "embellishing" his biography and resume - but Republican lawmaker George Santos said he was definitely never a drag queen.
Or at least that was until photos and videos of what appears to be the New York congressman performing in drag during his younger days in Brazil surfaced online.
"I was young and had fun at a festival," Mr Santos, 34, insisted to the pack of reporters chasing after him at the airport on Saturday.
More evidence has since circulated, further corroborating that the performer known to friends in the Rio de Janeiro area as "Kitara Ravache" is in fact the newly elected member of Congress.
An unbowed Mr Santos took to Twitter on Monday, calling those impersonating him on late-night television "embarrassing" and then feuding with drag personality Trixie Mattel.
The congressman was only sworn in barely three weeks ago, but is already facing multiple calls to step down.
He has allegedly lied about his college degrees, his work experience, his campaign finances, his animal charity and even his faith.
He has also falsely claimed that his grandparents survived the Holocaust and that his mother died in the 9/11 terror attack.