Who is George Santos and why should we care about him?
Former Republican Rep. George Santos’ political career might as well be made into a reality TV show. His elaborate web of lies and absurd allocation of public funding for “Onlyfans” purchases is nothing short of a fever dream SNL skit, but is it all really funny? I think not.
Santos’ political career began in November 2020, when he lost his first bid to Congress to Rep. Tom Suozzi. This loss did not deter Santos but instead inspired him to launch a new campaign in 2022 littered with elaborate fabrications that would give even the most seasoned novelists a run for their money. On January 6th, 2021, Santos spoke at Donald Trump’s rally, claiming that his congressional election was “stolen” along with Trump’s presidential race. His speech, which preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol, garnered support for Santos amongst the Republican community. Emboldened, Santos declared another run for Congress, painting himself as a Wall Street whiz with degrees to boot. His financial disclosures showed a sudden leap in net worth, which raised eyebrows, but it was his historic win in November 2022 against another openly gay candidate that momentarily secured his place in Congress and LGBTQ political history.
Santos’ narrative, however, began to unravel when he addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition summit, claiming a place among Jewish Republican members of Congress and later fabricating a story about losing employees in the Pulse nightclub tragedy—a claim swiftly debunked. The New York Times’ exposé in December 2022 peeled back layers of deceit, from falsified résumés to non-existent college degrees and phantom employment at financial giants. Despite his vehement denials and claims of being smeared, official records contradicted his tales of academic and professional success, not to mention the disputed Jewish heritage he flaunted.
The fabric of lies continued to tear as Santos admitted to résumé embellishments in late December, even as investigations into his conduct multiplied. The Nassau County District Attorney’s investigation and looming fraud charges from Brazil underscored the depth of Santos’ superficial image. The Federal Election Commission complaint and allegations of campaign impersonation added to the chorus calling for accountability. Despite mounting pressure and calls for resignation, Santos stood defiant, only to find his tenure cut short by a 311-114 vote on December 1st, 2023.
The case of Santos begs the question: How did we get here? How was Santos able to not only run for Congress with a campaign backed by fraud but also win that race? Politicians are supposed to act for the greater good of the people, and Santos’ course to office reveals the disturbing reality that the quest for power often overshadows the imperative of truth, integrity, and genuine service to the community. This illuminates a broader issue within our political framework: a system that allows, and perhaps even incentivizes, candidates to present themselves not as they are but as they believe voters want them to be. It’s a system where checking boxes and fitting molds take precedence over authentic representation and where the allure of the American dream can be manipulated into a deceptive sales pitch for personal gain. We should be past the time of Machiavellian rule, but it seems that politicians are increasingly willing to deceive the public for votes and power, spinning tales more befitting a fantasy novel than the résumé of a would-be congressman.
I found this video really interesting, and it sums up the situation really well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUK6hVYh8cA&t=1194s
George Santos: Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the Embattled Congressman, www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-congress-santos/.
“George Santos Fabrications and Controversy: A Timeline.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/timeline-rep-george-santos-fabrications-controversy-rcna66367.
