Santos turns to Cameo after expulsion from Congress, gets hired by Fetterman to take shot at Bob Mendendez
After his expulsion from Congress last week, George Santos is finding a new way to make some cash: Cameo.
Cameo is a website where people can pay celebrities to make personalized videos such as for the holidays or a birthday.
A link to Santos’ Cameo profile is available on his X profile. On his Cameo profile, Santos describes himself as a ‘former congressional ‘icon’’ and ‘The Expelled member of Congress from New York City.’
Interested parties can book a personal video with Santos starting at $200.
Santos joins the league of former politicos — including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Roger Stone — who have joined Cameo to make some extra money.
Later Monday, Santos posted a video addressed to embattled Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Democrat Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania took credit for the video.
‘I thought my ethically-challenged colleague @BobMenendezNJ could use some encouragement given his substantial legal problems,’ Fetterman tweeted. ‘So I approached a seasoned expert on the matter to give ‘Bobby from Jersey’ some advice.’
‘Hey Bobby!’ Santos begins the video. ‘Uh, look. I don’t think I need to tell you but these people that want to make you get in trouble and want to kick you out and make you run away, you make ‘em put up or shut up! You stand your ground sir, and don’t get bogged down by all the haters out there. Stay strong! Merry Christmas!’
The freshman lawmaker from Pennsylvania has been outspoken in his calls for Menendez — who is facing federal charges for participating in a bribery scheme — to step down from Congress if Santos deserves to be kicked out.
Santos’ move to Cameo comes as he faces serious legal trouble, and likely hefty legal bills, in his post-congressional life. Federal prosecutors in a 23-count indictment have accused him of duping donors, stealing from his campaign and lying to Congress.
The House voted Friday to expel the New York Republican representative after a blistering ethics report on his conduct heightened lawmakers’ concerns about the scandal-plagued freshman.
Santos became just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues, and the third since the Civil War.
The vote to expel was 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required. House Republican leaders opposed removing Santos, whose departure leaves them with a razor-thin majority, but in the end, 105 GOP lawmakers sided with nearly all Democrats to expel him.
The expulsion marked the final congressional chapter in a spectacular fall from grace for Santos. Celebrated as an up-and-comer after he flipped a district from Democrats last year, Santos’ life story began to unravel before he was even sworn into office. Reports emerged that he had lied about having Jewish ancestry, a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree, among other things.
Then, in May, Santos was indicted by federal prosecutors on multiple charges, turning his presence in the House into a growing distraction and embarrassment to the party.
Santos’ expulsion narrows the GOP’s majority to 221-213 and Democrats will have a good opportunity to fill the vacancy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.