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The strange gay Republican story of Scott Presler
A Republican activist devoted himself to Donald Trump’s victory—and challenges his party’s views on sexuality
In the last two election cycles, a very tall Republican activist with amazing hair and an ultra-flamboyant style became a global force. No one had organized Republicans getting to the polls better than Scott Presler.
He and his “Persistence” brand have become a beloved figure in the party, seen to be a prominent part of Donald Trump’s return to power. Many claimed Trump’s second term largely owed to Presler’s work.
Was it a strange Republican story? He is clearly—very—gay.
There has never been a profile of Scott Presler.
I’m looking over facts he’d drop about himself. Born in 1987 he grew up in Virginia, the son of a Navy Captain. He was an Eagle Scout. He attended a Catholic prep school. He graduated from George Mason University, then became…a dog walker?
A flyer he made in 2020 has a more textured account:
“My dad is a retired Navy Captain and he and my mom give me hope for the world because they share true love. I had a typical childhood, but suffered severe bullying. For years, I hated myself and I believed everything they said about me. Those deep wounds, now scars, made me the resilient person you see today. To those bullies, I want to say, ‘Thank you.’ You taught me compassion and you made me so incredibly strong. I graduated from George Mason University, with honors, in criminal justice. Despite my strong performance in school, I was one of those millennials who could not find a job. So, I started walking dogs for money.”
