Aaron Schock, once rising star of the Republican Party, was pictured at a Mexican resort town, prompting outrage from LGBT+ community leaders. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images/ Instagram)
Aaron Schock has been criticised after photos emerged which appear to show him “quarantining” with a group of men at a pastel-hued, blue skies summer beach resort in Mexico.
The former house representative for Illinois appears to be hunkering down in the resort city of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to Instagram stories and posts tagged which show him enjoying sun-splashed views, breezy dining and the abs of the men he’s staying with.
Outrage was first seeded after Mauricio Kirscher posted a photograph of Schock and his group Monday (April 13), captioning it: “Be my quarentine.”
The post, while swamped with many thirsty flame emojis and “cool shot!” comments, was pelted with queries from followers wondering why Kirscher was staying at a beach house despite lockdown measures in both the US and Mexico in place.
As one user noted: “[This is] not vacation is world emergency, damn it. Just respect.”
This group of Instagays “quarantining” at a resort in Mexico – WITH Aaron Schock – seem to have a very different definition of “social distancing” than the rest of us! pic.twitter.com/BeMUrBglIi
— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) April 14, 2020
Kirscher responded in Spanish: “We are in a house that has a beach that is only accessible through the house, and we have had no contact from anyone from outside.”
“If my photo caused you any concern, I apologise.”
He appeared to reply to a handful of questions concerning his quarantine with this answer, almost always replying first with an emoji and then the above in a separate comment.
“This is an old pic, right?” one user asked. “You can’t be that irresponsible.”
Kirschner responded to the user’s criticism with a flame emoji.
His apology did little to tamper the outrage that radiated across Twitter as further snapshots of Schock and the men spread.
Many users slammed Schock for quarantining at a resort with several other people, drinking home-made cocktails and partying among tiki torches, as the US economy is catered and people are plunged into paranoia amid testing and ventilator shortages.
‘Wow, Aaron Schock went from homophobe to every negative stereotype about gays REAL fast.’
Wow @aaronschock went from homophobe to every negative stereotype about gays REAL fast. https://t.co/bs5eodTNF7
— Ari Cohn (@AriCohn) April 15, 2020
The world is healing but there is still garbage washing up on beaches. Tragic.
— RG (@RGPhoto_93) April 14, 2020
Former Republican Congressman @aaronschock , who resigned in disgrace for stealing campaign funds and fraud, also outted as #LGBT with a history of horrifically anti- #lgbtq votes is partying in a resort during #COVID19 . Republicans gonna Republican.#coronavirus #Covid_19 https://t.co/VMfusVu6oJ
— MikePence’sGayFriend (@KDavisGayFriend) April 15, 2020
Everything I despise about gay culture in one pic. The privilege burns my eyes! Plus, YES, that IS Aaron Schock. Can you even fucking believe. Human garbage. https://t.co/vRVBCwCK4d
— Quaranteenage Kicks (@docmarvy) April 15, 2020
Love that Aaron Schock has been holed up at a villa in Mexico with a bunch of guys.
One of them just posted an IG story with “Stay at Home” hashtag.
You’re not at home, bitch.
Must get rid of toxic in community. pic.twitter.com/zIVQivwTIK
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 14, 2020
And now Aaron Schock has found the tiki torches. Color me not surprised. pic.twitter.com/UJTLwrQA5v
— Cody Sweet (@dcodysweet) April 15, 2020
It appears that at least two of the men, Alec Rugo and P Druck, have been lodged in the residence since around late March or early April according to Instagram posts.
Schock, 38, came out as gay in March in a winding Instagram post that proved divisive for the community.
As a lawmaker, he had ardently opposed a number of pro-LGBT+ measures, including marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.
This latest controversy comes after the former Men’s Health cover star was videoed in the gym for an Instagram story captioned: “Staying corona ready”.