Lady Gaga’s Dad Opens Up About Political Tensions With His Daughter

Politics can bring people together, but it also has the power to drive them apart—a reality that Lady Gaga’s father, New York City restaurant owner Joe Germanotta, is reportedly experiencing following former President Donald Trump’s 2024 election win.

Germanotta publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president in September 2024. Meanwhile, his daughter, Grammy-winning artist Lady Gaga, made a public appearance on November 4, 2024, at a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris on the final day of the campaign.

Lady Gaga delivered a heartfelt performance for Kamala Harris, joining a star-studded lineup that included Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, James Taylor, and Ricky Martin.

Lady Gaga’s father, Joe Germanotta, recently spoke out about the political differences that have created tension between him and his superstar daughter.

“I came out as a Republican on ‘FOX & Friends,’ ever since then, you know, it’s been a little dicey at home,” Germanotta said Wednesday on “Cavuto: Coast to Coast.” “But you know, [we’ll] get past it.

Germanotta described himself to FOX Business’ David Asman as an “open-minded Republican,” noting that he often supports socially liberal issues.

“What really needs to happen is, people need to understand that even though I’m a Republican and I have Republican conservative attitudes, that doesn’t mean I don’t support the LGBTQ community, or drag as a form of artistry,” he expanded. “And that’s why we use the restaurant as a venue for them to come in, the drag artists and perform once a week.”

The father-daughter duo hold different political views, with Germanotta openly criticizing New York City’s direction under Democratic leadership.

"I think [Harris winning] would have devastated a lot of businesses in New York City,” Germanotta said, adding that he had even considered moving to Wyoming. “Between the immigration and the crime and the economy, it’s a cascading effect."

Germanotta described Trump’s win as feeling like “a hat trick,” adding that he is “of course” pleased with the outcome.

“As soon as we start getting the economy straightened out, and they ‘drill, baby, drill,’ and the price of gas comes down, that producer price index is going to go down, which means consumers are going to get a better deal," he said. "I’ll be able to lower prices. It’ll bring in more customers, and we’ll be back to where we were five or six years ago."

Nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been proposed across the U.S. in recent years, with many targeting drag performances by attempting to ban or censor them. Project 2025—described as a roadmap for Trump’s potential presidency, with a foreword by J.D. Vance—aims to dismantle federal policies supporting LGBTQ+ equality.

However, Germanotta isn’t appearing on Fox to discuss any of these issues. “I have not nor will ever endorse any national legislation that inhibits anyone’s rights for personal or artistic expression," he said in a statement to Slate. "Assigning any derogatory labels that discriminate against personal identity is wrong and we do not tolerate it at Joanne’s.”

“I take tremendous pride in ensuring Joanne’s remains a safe space for LGBTQ+ and Drag Performers,” he continued. “Freedom of speech, choice, expression and religion are cornerstones of American culture. In my view, every citizen is protected by the Constitution and these freedoms must not be censured. I vigorously support and defend the rights of diverse LGBTQ+ people and the Artistry of Drag Performers."

"In our country, every individual’s freedom includes open expression of artistry and personal life decisions," Germanotta later added. "In my view, these rights cannot be ignored or taken away.”

Despite these contrasting views, Germanotta has consistently expressed pride in his daughter’s success and her commitment to her beliefs, highlighting a respectful family bond despite their political divergence.

This isn’t the first time the Germanotta family has faced political differences. During the 2020 election, Joe Germanotta also voiced support for Trump, even after the former president criticized Lady Gaga’s involvement in Biden’s campaign.

Lady Gaga has been a vocal supporter of liberal causes and Democratic candidates. In the 2020 election, she actively endorsed Joe Biden and performed at his inauguration in 2021.

In the 2024 election, she publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, performing at a rally in Pennsylvania on November 4, 2024.