DC’s young Republicans were dressed to the nines, wearing faux MAGA hats, trying to find love before the greasy McDonald’s was ceremoniously wheeled out and rapper Wacka Flocka performed.
At the ‘MAGA is in the Air’ Republican Valentine’s Day party, filled with Trump administration staffers, Capitol Hill aides and other ‘patriots,’ the crowd of mostly twenty-somethings wore LED wristbands to signal their singleness.
Green means available; red means off the market. The ruby bracelets were often spotted close together as couples clung onto each other, as the emerald band singles struck up their best pick-up lines.
The ornate, two-story club downtown was crawling with young men donning tuxedos and women in gowns packed in together, often holding drinks – champagne was given out at the door.
It was a momentary haven for the city’s conservative diaspora – a tiny contingent that has blossomed as the GOP controls the White House, Congress and ostensibly the Supreme Court. There were about 300 to 400 attendees, according to guests’ estimates.
Still, Republicans can have a hard time finding love in the capital. Almost all voters, 92 percent, are Democrats, according to the 2024 DC election results.
In steps CJ Pearson, 23, a conservative influencer and Gen-Z advisor for the GOP, who has taken it upon himself to combat the lopsided dating pool problem for DC’s Republicans.
Republican branding was ever-present at the black-tie optional affair; a ‘MAGA is in the air’ poster loomed from a sign over the dance floor nearly the entire night, red and white Trumpian hats with ‘Make America Party Again’ and ‘Cruel Kids XOXO,’ match boxes with the president’s face were sprinkled around the tables for guests.
Guests makeout at a Republican Valentine’s Day party in Washington, DC, on Friday, February 13, 2025
‘MAGA is in the Air’ was the party’s theme
GOP youth advisor CJ Pearson has hosted several Republican-backed parties over the past year
Red Trumpian hats with ‘Make American Party Again’ and ‘Cruel Kids XOXO’ were given out to guests
South Carolina Republican Congressman William Timmons (L) and White House Staff Secretary Will Sharf (R) pose with guests
Rapper Waka Flocka posing with guests
Hundreds of guests showed up to a club in downtown DC for the buzzy mixer
Notorious Trump aide Edward Coristine (L), who was beaten up after standing up for a girl last year, was praised for his heroics. The aide, who worked with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is commonly known as ‘big balls’
Guests pose for a selfie
But Democrats are more than welcome too, the host stressed.
‘Oddly enough, these parties are for everyone,’ Pearson told the Daily Mail.
‘You’d be surprised the amount of Democrats that ask to be invited because they know that MAGA has more fun and leaves their pronouns and political sensitivities at the door.’
The Valentine’s Day party was the latest bash thrown by Pearson.
A frequent talking head on Fox News, the 23-year-old has thrown several GOP-backed parties since President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January.
One was a 4th of July party where rapper Soulja Boy performed and guests were told to wear all white. Another was for Halloween and Rick Ross took the mic for 15 minutes as costumed attendees cheered and filmed on their phones.
Pearson’s parties always feature food from McDonald’s, famously one of Trump’s favorite establishments.
Massive bags of burgers, Big Macs and fries were delivered halfway through the party on Friday in typical fashion.
Rapper Waka Flocka spoke to the Daily Mail about his political future. He admitted to having an interest in venturing into politics, though he wouldn’t share his party affiliation despite being at a Republican event
Pearson’s parties always feature food from McDonald’s, famously one of Trump’s favorite establishments
Burgers, fries and Big Macs were handed out freely
The Valentine’s Day event was the fourth party thrown by Pearson since Trump’s second term began last year
Guests with the red wristbands to show they are not on the dating market
Champagne was given out by the venue as guests arrived
Guests immediately grabbed the hats for photos
The green bands meant guests were single or interested in meeting someone new
Students for Trump Founder Ryan Fournier (C)
Rapper Waka Flocka delivered a rousing performance of ‘No Hands’ that the GOP crowd had to join in as many sang along at the top of their lungs.
The GOP crowd is a familiar one for the artist; he performed at Pearson’s January 2025 inauguration party.
‘CJ’s so responsible with the water,’ the rapper quipped after spotting the GOP advisor downing a bottle after some trips to the open bar.
Flocka, who also tends to a farm in Alabama when he is not traveling across the US performing, told the Daily Mail at an after-party that he is keeping his political future open and would consider running for office.
He candidly avoided answering whether he’d run as a Republican or Democrat with a smile and – a politically astute answer with vague generalities – perhaps he is ready for office.
Back on the dance floor, young Republicans are looking to make a splash and either find their next date or job opportunity.
White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf and Republican Congressman William Timmons of South Carolina stood by chatting.
So too were dozens of Trump officials and Capitol Hill aides and GOP influencers, like Students for Trump Founder Ryan Fournier.
As the wristbands mingled with like colors, many of the young Republicans appeared successful in their quest for companionship.
Couples were seen dancing, making out, exchanging numbers and generally having the type of fun expected at a club.
Whether it was the hundreds of people, the mounds of McDonald’s, or the flowing cocktails, something, in addition to MAGA, was in the air.
