Trump pardons Republican conman who claimed mother died on 9/11

In a move that probably shouldn’t surprise anyone, Donald Trump has pardoned the notorious fraudster George Santos. Santos wasn’t just any conman, either — he was a Republican congressman who lied his way to the top, then publicly crashed down to the bottom:

Explaining why he pardoned Santos, Trump openly admits crime is ok if you’re a loyal Republican pic.twitter.com/7NIYKM8JlT

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) October 17, 2025

Any normal politician would avoid pardoning a liability like Santos, but this is Trump we’re talking about. If anything, Trump might elevate him into an even greater position of prestige.

“Have a great life!”

Santos arguably only lied about one thing, but that ‘one thing’ was his life story. The lies, falsehoods, and swindles of Santos include:

• Being hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community despite being a gay man and one-time drag performer.
• Claiming he was a Jewish man with grandparents who fled Nazi persecution (they were actually Brazilian).
• Taking credit for Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark — one of Broadway’s most notorious flops.
• Convincing people he was a big shot Wall Street investor.
• Falsely stating that “9/11 claimed my mother’s life.”
• Allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from a fundraiser for a dying dog.

If you’re particularly repulsed by that last one, you should know that Trump also hates dogs. That said, we can’t definitively say that Santos ‘hates dogs’ — just that he really didn’t like that one (allegedly).

Fast forward to today, and the disgraced Republican was serving an 87-month sentence for crimes including fraud and identity theft. As you’d expect, people had a lot to say:

George Santos is the 10th Republican congressman to receive a pardon or clemency from Donald Trump.

“Law and order.” pic.twitter.com/WBxAL3e1xN

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 17, 2025

🚨BREAKING: Trump has just pardoned disgraced former Republican Congressman George Santos and he will be released from prison immediately.

“Good luck George, have a great life!”

Santos literally defrauded donors and is a piece of shit. Why would he do this? pic.twitter.com/iPh2jVkHL2

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) October 17, 2025

Trump commuting the sentence of George Santos and pardoning 1500 insurrectionists, while enjoying immunity from prosecution — all while trying to lock up protesters and political opponents shows that his version of “law and order” is just fascism that rewards loyalty. pic.twitter.com/moFWoWaEl1

— Melanie D’Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) October 17, 2025

Liar liar

The most unfortunate thing about Santos is this:

George Santos is free. Trump released him from his cage.

We’ll never hear the end of it. He is going to launch a podcast, wiggle his way onto FOX News, and spew more vitriol and madness.

Nonetheless, he is entertaining. pic.twitter.com/WjZWMQNs1G

— Indeanel (@Indeanel) October 18, 2025

As such, the entertaining Santos will almost certainly show up on Trump-friendly media in the future. Speaking of which, here he was in 2024:

George Santos says that Congress needs more people like him in office. (Santos was being interviewed by far-right broadcaster Stew Peters, who is a vehement antisemite, violent conspiracy theorist, vicious bigot, and virulent racist.) pic.twitter.com/ooBTgHWLjQ

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) April 16, 2024

He also had his own podcast on YouTube called ‘Pants on Fire‘, but the views were notably up and down. In his last episode, he sought ‘prison advice’ in anticipation of his conviction. This was the fourth-best-performing video on the channel with 17k views; most episodes received less than a thousand watchers.

We’re not sure where Santos will end up next, but in Trump’s America, the sky’s the limit for a fraudster like him.

Featured image via George Santos (YouTube) / Gage Skidmore (Wikimedia)