George Santos, the disgraced former Congressman known as much for his lies as for his flamboyant persona, begins serving his 87-month federal prison sentence Friday. Once a rising star and the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress, Santos now faces the consequences of a stunning political and personal downfall.
From Historic Win to Public Humiliation
Santos won election in 2022 to represent parts of Queens and Long Island. His campaign painted him as a self-made Wall Street financier, a Jewish immigrant descendant, and a cultural chameleon who promised to bring fresh energy to the Republican Party. In truth, most of his biography was fabricated.
Over the following year, revelations of fraud, identity theft, and embezzlement emerged, culminating in his expulsion from the House in December 2023. Prosecutors later charged him with multiple federal crimes, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, to which he pleaded guilty in August 2024.
He admitted to using fake campaign loans, stealing the identities of family members to solicit funds, and collecting COVID-19 unemployment benefits while employed.
No Clemency, No Illusions
Despite ongoing public support for Donald Trump, Santos said he doesn’t expect a pardon. In recent interviews, he noted that granting clemency would damage Trump politically with Republican members of Congress already trying to distance themselves from the scandal.
“I will not waver in my support for him,” Santos said of the former president to Politico. “But I don’t think he can help me now – he has to think about the country and the party.”
A White House spokesperson declined to comment on whether any clemency request had been submitted.
A Final Curtain Call
Santos’s prison sentence marks the closing act of one of the most bizarre political performances in recent memory. His entrance into national politics was as chaotic as his exit. With designer clothing, smug press appearances, and online monologues, Santos cultivated a persona that blurred the lines between public servant and reality star.
As he prepared to surrender to federal custody, Santos leaned heavily into this theatrical legacy. He posted a clip of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” on social media, highlighting the lyric: “And now, the end is near. And so I face the final curtain.”
Santos has said he will not be allowed access to technology while incarcerated and won’t be permitted to conduct interviews. “They’re shutting me up essentially,” he said.
Targeting Critics, Embracing the Spotlight
Even as his prison term loomed, Santos remained combative. On social media, he targeted fellow members of Congress he viewed as hypocritical, calling out Democrats and Republicans alike for alleged ethical violations. His message was clear: If I’m going down, why aren’t they?
He criticized several New York Republicans who distanced themselves from him once his scandals unfolded, branding them traitors. He also accused the Department of Justice of being “weaponized” but remained loyal to Trump, declining to speak critically of him.
Santos has also taken credit for nicknames he’s given to political rivals, including “Senile Joe Biden” and “Temu Obama,” a dig aimed at House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
A Complicated Identity
Beyond the fraud and bluster, Santos’s story is also a deeply personal one – especially for the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man and former member of Congress, Santos occupied a unique and often contentious space in American politics.
Now, facing years behind bars, he says he fears for his safety. He has requested protective custody due to concerns about violence toward him as both a gay man and a former politician.
In the months leading up to his sentencing, Santos turned to monetizing his notoriety. He launched a podcast, “Pants on Fire,” sold personal videos on Cameo, and even teased a potential OnlyFans account. While he claimed these helped cover legal fees, prosecutors viewed them as evidence of continued exploitation of his public profile.
He also opened up about cosmetic enhancements, including facial fillers, expressing concerns about how prison will affect his appearance. “It’s about 30 percent not me,” he joked on a podcast earlier this year.
Regrets and Reflections
Despite his public persona, Santos did express remorse – at least partially. At his sentencing, he wept and apologized to his constituents, saying, “I should have done better, not for me, but for everyone else as well.”
Now, with prison time looming, he says he sees no clear future beyond his sentence. “I guess I put it all out there,” he said. “Sorry. That’s all I can say.”
The prison marks a stark new reality for someone who once walked the halls of Congress in designer shoes. His flamboyant, fabulist style made him a media sensation, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to shield him from the consequences of deception and criminal behavior.
What Happens Next
Santos is expected to serve his sentence at a low-security federal facility. He will also face two years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. He was ordered to pay restitution of $373,000 and to forfeit an additional $205,000.
He will be required to participate in financial disclosures as part of the ongoing legal process. The court ordered that both parties submit full income and asset documentation within 60 days.
A Legacy of Scandal
George Santos’s story may be remembered as a cautionary tale – about ambition without integrity, identity exploited for power, and the media environment that allowed him to rise.
His conviction and incarceration mark the end of a saga that captivated the country with its bizarre twists and tragicomic tone. For many LGBTQ+ Americans, the downfall is a reminder of the importance of authenticity, transparency, and representation that empowers rather than deceives.
For Santos, it’s the final curtain – at least for now.
