George Santos

George Anthony Devolder Santos (born July 22, 1988) is an American former politician and convicted fraudster who served as the U.S. representative for New York's 3rd congressional district from January to December 2023, when he was expelled from Congress. He was elected in 2022 as a Republican, defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the election for New York's 3rd district. He had previously run for the same seat, unsuccessfully challenging then-incumbent Tom Suozzi. Santos is the first openly LGBTQ Republican elected to Congress as a freshman.

Within weeks of Santos's election, before he was sworn in, reporting revealed much of his biography was fabricated. He admitted lying about his education and employment, and disclosures related to his business activity and financials were self-contradictory, incomplete, or unverifiable. Santos had also not disclosed his criminal history and pending lawsuits. He was sworn in as a member of the House in January 2023, but faced ongoing media scrutiny as well as demands for his resignation from members of both parties.

Following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and a federal indictment, the House of Representatives voted 311–114 to expel Santos on December 1, 2023. Santos was the first member of Congress expelled without having previously been convicted of a crime or having supported the Confederacy, the first Republican, and the sixth member of the House to be expelled. In August 2024, Santos pled guilty to identity theft and wire fraud. In April 2025, he was sentenced to 87 months in prison, which he began serving that July. Six months later, President Donald Trumpcommuted Santos's sentence.

In 2026, Santos stoked speculation that he might attend that year's State of the Union speech, while also betting on Kalshi, an online prediction market, that he would not attend. After he did not attend the speech and made a reported $17,000 on Kalshi, he was investigated and fined by the United States Commodities Futures Trading Commission for manipulating the market, and became the first person to be fined and banned for life by Kalshi.