Democratic senator Cory Booker is best known for his passionate speeches, progressive policies and strong leadership. But having gained national attention for his historic 25-hour and 5-minute speech in the U.S. Senate, he is going viral for another reason too—his family connections.
Social media users have been shocked to learn that Booker is actually a DNA cousin of RuPaul, the world-famous drag queen and television icon.
The revelation, which originally came to light in 2020, has resurfaced thanks to viral TikToks, leaving many people stunned by the unexpected pairing of the U.S. Senator and a drag superstar.
Who is Cory Booker?
Cory Booker is a prominent Democratic politician, currently serving as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey.
Known for his passionate speeches and strong advocacy for social justice, Booker first gained national attention as the mayor of Newark, where he focused on urban development and crime reduction. He later ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. This week, he has made headlines for delivering the longest speech in Senate history, an impassioned 25-hour and 5-minute address.
Cory Booker speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democrats policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025. Cory Booker speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democrats policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025. Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images
Why is Cory Booker Going Viral?
Booker has captured the public’s attention for delivering the longest speech in U.S. Senate history. His 25-hour and 5-minute speech, delivered on April 1–2, 2025, broke a record that had stood for nearly 70 years.
The speech was a protest against the policies of President Donald Trump and sought to highlight the struggles faced by Americans caused by budget cuts and institutional challenges.
During the marathon speech, Booker shared powerful personal stories, criticized both Trump’s administration and his own Democratic Party, and urged for policy changes. The emotional and compelling delivery drew millions of views across social media, with many praising his endurance and rhetorical skills.
How Is Cory Booker Related to RuPaul?
Amid the buzz around Booker’s record-breaking speech, some social media users have rediscovered an unexpected fact—Cory Booker is actually the DNA cousin of legendary drag performer and television host RuPaul.
This revelation, which originally surfaced in 2020, has gained traction again thanks to viral TikToks sharing the surprising family connection.
Left, RuPaul is seen on May 13, 2024 in Los Angeles. Right, Cory Booker is pictured in Washington, DC., on September 14, 2024. Left, RuPaul is seen on May 13, 2024 in Los Angeles. Right, Cory Booker is pictured in Washington, DC., on September 14, 2024. Steve Granitz/Jemal Countess/Getty Images
How Are Cory Booker and RuPaul Related?
Booker and RuPaul first learned they were related during an episode of the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots in October 2020. The show revealed that the two share a significant stretch of identical DNA on their first chromosome, confirming a familial link.
A year later, Booker made a surprise appearance in the season 13 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race. RuPaul introduced him in a video message, saying: “Now, to explain the rules of the Lip Sync Smackdown, please welcome United States Senator, and my cousin, Cory Booker. No, really, we are related.”
Booker, addressing the final four contestants, responded with a heartfelt message: “Thank you, cousin RuPaul. You all already know the rules, so I just want to say thank you. In life, we were not born to fit in, we were born to stand out, to make the most out of ourselves, and always elevate and enrich the lives of others.”
