GOP candidate Derrick Anderson uses fake family in campaign photos, Internet says 'new level of weird'

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Derrick Anderson, the Republican congressional candidate for the 7th district of Virginia, shot into the spotlight after a recent New York Times article revealed he posed for what appears to be family photographs with non-relatives.

Headlined 'GOP candidates, looking to soften their image, turn to their wives,' the article published on Friday, September 27, explained how male Republicans in the race are putting their wives front and center of their campaign to appeal to female voters, as they are concerned about their record on reproductive rights.

The ads were described in the article as featuring "women in softly lit living rooms and pristine kitchens vouching for their husbands’ characters. Sometimes the women are driving SUVs with young children in the back seat as they stop for gas and groceries, talking about how their husbands are champions for their families."

Controversy over Derrick Anderson's campaign photographs

A former Army Green Beret, Derrick Anderson reportedly posted footage of him posing with a woman and three children, which appeared to be a family photograph "that might be used for an annual holiday card."

One of his campaign ads also showed him sitting around a dining room table with the same people, further solidifying the family image.

However, according to NYT, that was not the case, as the woman and girls seen with Anderson were not related to him at all. They are the wife and children of a longtime friend of his.

Anderson announced his engagement in September and shared that he does not have any children. His campaign website states that he lives with his dog, but does not display any photographs.

The report was criticized by a spokesperson for the candidate, who stated, "Derrick’s opponent and every other candidate in America are in similar pictures and video with supporters of all kinds,” and that the footage simply showed Anderson “with female supporters and their kids.”

Internet claims Derrick Anderson's story dials up 'weird'

Netizens reacting to the news on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shredded Anderson for seemingly opting for a 'fake family' to strengthen his campaign.

"Dude faked a family," slammed former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger. "Wtf is wrong with these candidates I mean just wut."

Podcast host Fred Wellman quipped, "Y'all (Anderson) has fake family pictures. Amazing."

Democratic Rep Ted Lieu (Ca) called out GOP Vice presidential candidate JD Vance over the controversy, as the latter had claimed childless Americans had a lower stake in the country's future. "Do you think that applies to GOP candidate Derrick Anderson, who doesn’t have children but is trying to mislead voters by renting a family in his pictures? Asking for a friend," he chided.

"New levels of weird and creepy," posted abortion rights activist Olivia Julianna. "THESE ARE NOT HIS CHILDREN AND THAT AIN'T HIS WIFE."

Others reacting to NYT journalist Annie Karni's tweet sharing the news commented on how "weird" the entire thing was, as the following examples demonstrate.

"This is a weird thing to do. It just is," wrote a user.

"Creepy, weird, and off-putting," shared another.

"lmao what is this? A rent-a-family for election season?" jibed a third.

"Don't ever think Republicans cannot get weirder. They will just prove you wrong," noted yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.