While leftists often accuse conservatives of peddling misinformation without offering any evidence to back up their claims, one incoming Republican lawmaker is making it easier for Democrats to use a broad brush in describing their political rivals as liars.
U.S. Rep.-elect George Santos (R-NY) clinched a congressional seat in his Democrat-dominated state in large part because his stated background resonated with voters in his district. Since last month’s midterm election, however, that narrative has begun to unravel as several details have come under increasing scrutiny.
Santos played up his professional life by claiming that he had a successful career in finance with stints for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. He also cited his attendance at New York University and Baruch College.
Neither his supposed prior employers nor the colleges he claimed to have attended had any record of such an association, though.
Claims about his personal life also came under attack after he portrayed himself as both openly gay and Jewish.
This week, he addressed a range of allegations, admitting that he either exaggerated or lied about several aspects of his life. As for his ostensible work with Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, Santos confirmed that he “never worked directly” with either company but was employed by a company called Link Bridge that partnered with the firms on certain projects.
His academic record was even more misleading, he admitted, confirming that he never earned a college degree of any type.
“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning,” Santos said. “I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume. I own up to that. … We do stupid things in life.”
As for his sexuality, the congressman-elect only referenced his current marriage to a man in his campaign biography. Subsequent media investigations, however, uncovered evidence that he had been married to a woman until divorcing in 2019.
He confirmed that he was married to a woman for about five years but is now living with his husband.
Perhaps his most bewildering claim dealt with his ties to Judaism. His campaign website detailed the supposed persecution of his grandparents, though the allegations were disputed in a review of his maternal genealogy.
“I never claimed to be Jewish,” Santos said. “I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was ‘Jew-ish.’”
The Republican Jewish Coalition says Congressman-elect Santos is no longer welcome at any RJC events: “He has begun his tenure in Congress on a very wrong note. He will not be welcome at any future RJC event.” pic.twitter.com/1fVPKtwJer
— Daniel Strauss (@DanielStrauss4) December 27, 2022
The misrepresentation led to backlash from the Jewish community, including a statement from Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks, who wrote: “He deceived us and misrepresented his heritage. In public comments and to us personally, he previously claimed to be Jewish. He has begun his tenure in Congress on a very wrong note. He will not be welcome at any future RJC event.”
Despite the deception, Santos remains defiant and determined to take his seat in Congress next year.
“I am not a criminal,” he declared. “This will not deter me from having good legislative success. I will be effective. I will be good.”
