Joe Germanotta, father to pop icon and future intergalactic ambassador Lady Gaga, is spilling the tea on how his political endorsements turned family dinners into the ultimate showdown.
To rewind: Back in September, Joe decided to shake things up by endorsing President Donald Trump and calling him a “patriot” with the enthusiasm you’d expect from someone really invested in flag lapel pins. For those keeping score, Trump, now 78, hasn’t exactly been a Little Monster fan, once calling Gaga a “phony” (ouch, Mr. President) after she publicly threw her platform boots behind Joe Biden in 2020.
Gaga, of course, doubled down by performing at a rally for VP Kamala Harris right before the election, reminding everyone that she’s always been ready to bring the razzle-dazzle to politics—preferably with a wind machine.
So, how’s it going at family brunch these days? Joe, 67, admits things are… well, a little chilly. On Cavuto: Coast to Coast, he shared, “Ever since I came out as a Republican on FOX & Friends, home’s been a bit like a reality show where someone’s about to throw a glass of Pinot at any moment.” But he assures the world that eventually, they’ll “get past it.” Just like that time he grounded her for wearing 7-inch heels to a school dance. Same vibe.
In a plot twist that even Gaga might envy, Joe describes himself as an “open-minded Republican.” He’s practically a unicorn—endorsing conservative policies and championing liberal social causes. Case in point: His restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, is a welcoming stage for drag queens who perform weekly, bringing enough glam to shake up any spaghetti marinara night. Joe beams with pride about this, telling us, “Drag is artistry—just like marinara is an art, but with more sequins and sass.”
According to Joe, his NYC eatery is the Switzerland of family values and fabulousness. “Look, just because I rock a Republican hat doesn’t mean I don’t also rock with the LGBTQ+ community,” he explained, adding that politics aside, the Trattoria is all about community, celebration, and showing up with a side of garlic bread and glitter.
