By Hailey Gomez
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is commuting former Republican New York Rep. George Santos’ prison sentence.
In April, Santos was sentenced to 87 months after pleading guilty to 23 federal charges related to wire fraud and identity theft. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that while Santos was “somewhat of a ‘rogue,’” there are “many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison.”
“I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard ‘Da Nang Dick’ Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, ‘Da Nang’ stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face. He was ‘a Great Hero,’ he would leak to any and all who would listen — And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD,” Trump wrote.
“This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!” Trump added.
Former U.S. Rep. George Santon (R-NY) attends Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump’s primary night. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Prior to being expelled from the House by his colleagues in December 2021 over his federal charges, the former Republican lawmaker had served nearly a year in Congress. According to a November 2023 House Ethics Committee report, lawmakers also found he had committed additional wrongdoing beyond his guilty plea. (RELATED: ‘I’m Not Built For This’: George Santos Tells Tucker Carlson He Might Not ‘Survive’ Prison)
In one of his last interviews before beginning his sentence, Santos told Daily Caller News Foundation co-founder Tucker Carlson in July that he feared for his life in prison.
“I don’t know that I survive it. They’re putting me in a violent prison. It’s a medium facility. I’m not a streetwise guy. I don’t know how to fight,” Santos said. “I’m a gay man. Statistics tell you what happens to gay men in prison. I don’t know that I survive this. I’m being honest. I mean, I can’t change that. It’s sad. I have a family.”
Shortly after the interview, Santos began his prison sentence, posting a message to his supporters on July 24 on X.
“The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed. From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days. To my supporters: You made this wild political cabaret worth it. To my critics: Thanks for the free press. I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit,” Santos wrote.
