Former President Donald Trump expressed considerable hesitation about pardoning ex-Congressman George Santos, known for his litany of fabrications, in a recent interview on Newsmax. Addressing Santos' seven-year sentence for fraud, Trump acknowledged Santos' support for him but was critical of the deceitful behavior, stating, “He lied like hell, I have to tell you.”
The interview, which aired on Friday, showcased Trump's candid take on Santos' situation. Despite Santos' past pro-Trump stance, the former president made it clear that no discussions about a pardon had reached him, and he distanced himself from the disgraced congressman: “I might have met him, maybe, maybe not, I don’t know.”
George Santos, 37, had previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. He had fabricated $250,000 in donations to enter the GOP's “Young Guns” program and misappropriated funds from elderly donors for personal expenditures, including Botox, OnlyFans subscriptions, and luxurious attire. This misconduct led to his historic expulsion from the House of Representatives in a rare bipartisan consensus.
Amidst the unfolding of his scandal, Santos launched a podcast titled “Pants on Fire,” where he revealed attempts to seek a pardon from Trump, which he later abandoned, labeling the pursuit as futile. Trump, while seemingly amused by Santos' ability to deceive, criticized the lack of due diligence by Santos' opposition and the media in uncovering the truth about his background.
Trump also reflected on the broader context of pardon requests, mentioning that celebrities such as Sean "Diddy" Combs and Ghislaine Maxwell were also subjects of pardon advocacy, though he offered no specific stance on these cases.
The former president's remarks come as Santos faces the repercussions of his actions, including public disavowal and impending imprisonment. Santos' former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, who has cooperated with authorities, was implicated by Santos in contributing to the criminal conduct.
In the days leading up to his incarceration, Santos made several public statements, including an appearance with Tucker Carlson. He expressed fear about prison life but vehemently denied any suicidal intentions or plans to engage in sexual activity while incarcerated.
Despite Santos' controversial history and Trump's lack of enthusiasm for a pardon, the former president did not entirely dismiss the possibility, leaving an ambiguous end to the discussion. Trump concluded by acknowledging Santos' reliable voting record, despite the overshadowing scandals, suggesting a nuanced view of the former congressman's legacy.
