George Santos’ Fall: From Congressman to Convict, Sentenced to Over Seven Years

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — On April 25, 2025, in a courtroom on Long Island, George Santos stood before a judge, his arrogant swagger supplanted by blubbering words and tears. The short-lived congressman who had captivated New York politics with lies was sentenced to 87 months—nearly eight years—in federal prison on charges of identity theft and fraud. For a man who built a reputation on blatant lies, the ultimate price of his choices finally came crashing down.

A Meteoric Rise Built on Lies

At 36, Santos’ story is one of ambition gone wrong. He swept into Congress in 2022, representing parts of Queens and Long Island, with a rags-to-riches tale that captivated voters. He claimed to be a Wall Street whiz, an NYU graduate, and a descendant of Holocaust survivors. But it was all a mirage. By August 2024, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting he’d woven a web of deception to win his seat and line his pockets.

A Tearful Plea in Court

In court, Santos’ voice cracked as he faced U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert. “I betrayed everyone who believed in me—my constituents, my donors, my colleagues,” he said, wiping his eyes. “I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I want to make things right.” He begged for a lighter sentence, promising to serve the community he’d wronged. But the prosecutor, Ryan Harris, wasn’t convinced. He pointed to Santos’ social media, where he’d called himself a “scapegoat” and ranted about a “witch hunt.” “He’s not sorry,” Harris said. “He’s sorry he got caught.”

A Harsh Sentence for a “Fraudster”

The judge agreed. Calling Santos an “arrogant fraudster,” Seybert handed down a sentence at the high end of federal guidelines: 87 months, including a mandatory two years for identity theft. Santos must also pay $373,749 to his victims—people like elderly donors whose trust he exploited—and forfeit $205,002. He has until July 25, 2025, to report to prison, a deadline that looms over his uncertain future.

Schemes That Shocked the Nation

Santos’ schemes were as bold as they were heartless. He stole the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his own family, running up credit card charges without a second thought. He faked campaign donations to trick the Republican Party into backing him. He even claimed unemployment benefits during the pandemic, despite earning income. And when the money rolled in, he spent it lavishly—on designer clothes, Botox, even an OnlyFans account. “He made a mockery of our elections,” Harris said, his words heavy with disdain.

The Unraveling of a Political Star

The unraveling began soon after Santos’ 2022 victory. A New York Times investigation exposed his lies, and the cracks in his story widened. By May 2023, he faced 23 felony charges. A scathing House Ethics Committee report laid bare his excesses, and in December 2023, Congress expelled him—a rare rebuke that made him only the sixth House member ever ousted without a conviction. The vote was crushing for Santos, who’d dreamed of political stardom.

Defiance in the Spotlight

Even after his plea, Santos couldn’t resist the spotlight. He earned thousands selling Cameo videos and launched a podcast called “Pants on Fire,” leaning into his notoriety. But prosecutors saw it as proof he hadn’t changed. “He’s chasing fame, not redemption,” Harris argued. Santos’ lawyer, Andrew Mancilla, pleaded for mercy, saying his client’s public humiliation was punishment enough. He mentioned Santos’ help in another fraud case, but Seybert wasn’t swayed. “You didn’t save a dime for your victims,” she said, noting his spending sprees.

A Divided Public Reacts

Outside the courtroom, reactions were raw. “This is justice,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, whose office prosecuted the case. “He lied, he stole, he hurt people.” On X, opinions clashed. Some, like @robbystarbuck, felt the sentence was too harsh compared to punishments for violent crimes. Others, like @kyledcheney, said Santos’ defiance sealed his fate. “He couldn’t stop talking,” one user posted. “That’s what did him in.”

Victims Left in the Wake

For those who knew Santos, the verdict was bittersweet. Roberta Reardon, New York’s labor commissioner, called his pandemic fraud “callous,” remembering the struggling workers he’d cheated. Victims, including donors who believed in his campaign, felt betrayed. “I thought he was one of us,” said one elderly supporter, her voice heavy with regret.

A Cautionary Tale for Politics

Santos’ rise and fall is a stark reminder of how fragile trust is in politics. From a charming newcomer to a national punchline, he leaves behind a trail of broken promises and real pain. As he prepares for prison, he’s left with his own words from the courtroom: “I can’t rewrite the past.” Whether he can find a new path forward—or if he’ll ever regain the trust he shattered—remains an open question. For now, George Santos is a man out of time, facing years behind bars for the lies he told and the lives he upended.

Sources: The New York Times, Reuters, ABC News, POLITICO, NBC News, The Guardian, CNN, AP News, Forbes, CBS News, U.S. Department of Justice

Alyssa Farah Griffin's "The View" MAGA Hat Promise: A Pledge for Peace?

On ABC's talk show "The View," in one of those moments a lot of people wouldn't forget, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin made an audacious promise during her December 2024 show: if then-President-elect Donald Trump could broker a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, she would wear a MAGA hat on the show. The comments came during a segment about Trump's appearance at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral and how he may shape or has shaped international relations.

The Promise:

Griffin, once director of Strategic Communications for Trump at the White House before she resigned in 2020, often criticizes her former boss while showing nuances in her tone regarding his probable contribution to keeping world peace. This, after having said in a segment, "If he does good-if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say, 'Thank you for doing it'." It drew a mix of responses from her fellow hosts, noticeably the caution from Sunny Hostin. But Griffin, with comedic timing, responded by saying she knows Hostin would "knock it right off my head."

Context:

This promise came against the backdrop of the bitter war between Israel and Hamas, which dramatically worsened after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, killed many and took hostages, thereby eliciting an extended and disastrous series of retaliatory actions by Israel. The international community, including mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, had been striving for a ceasefire, but until recent developments, all such efforts had come to naught.

The Deal:

Fast forward to January 15, 2025, just days before Trump's inauguration for his second term, news broke of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that included the release of hostages. This deal was notably announced by Trump himself via social media, claiming credit for the diplomatic breakthrough. Although the details were not yet complete, it was to ensure the gradual release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a temporary halt to the Israeli military action in Gaza.

Public and Media Reaction:

His words came against the backdrop of a very bitter war between Israel and Hamas that dramatically worsened after a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, killed many and took hostages, thereby eliciting an extended disastrous series of retaliatory actions by Israel. The international community-its mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar included-had been trying for a ceasefire, but up until recent developments, all such efforts came to nothing.

Implications

Above is the convoluted dynamic of political commentary on public forums such as "The View," where personal belief meets political affiliation and public promise. It wasn't about the hat; it was about embracing positivity, which comes out of those in political life one might oppose. This represents a balance position that many media would have to face when discussing or responding to an international crisis in which such leaders held a controversial image.

Conclusion:

 One can only guess whether Alyssa Farah Griffin will wear a MAGA hat or not. Well, she promised she would, but that fired up the latest debates about the role of diplomacy, power, and strong personalities in international negotiations, and about what is expected by the public in terms of coherence and integrity in media personalities. If this episode of "The View" ever materializes, it will be a moment of personal accountability for Griffin and further testament to how frequently wild the twists and turns of politics and media can be. For now, all eyes are on "The View" to see if this pledge will be fulfilled, adding another layer to the ever-evolving narrative of U.S. politics and global peace efforts.