In the reality show that American politics has become George Santos has grown to be one of the most interesting characters yet. To some he is an idiot, to some he is a hero, but the one thing everyone can agree on is that the Jackson Heights native is iconic.
Today we will analyze, Who is George Santos, and why is he America’s latest cultural fascination.
Before his rise into politics, Santos was relatively unknown. However, he quickly made headlines after his election to Congress in 2022, representing a New York district.
It wasn’t just his victory that caught attention; it was the discovery that his resume was more creative writing than a J.K. Rowling book. Claims of attending elite schools and working on Wall Street were just some of the many lies that helped Santos get to the top.
What catapulted Santos into the forefront of pop culture wasn’t just his fabricated biography but also a series of actions and incidents that are so absurd they don’t even seem real.
It all started with a controversy over photos showing him in drag. George Santos confirmed the authenticity of images showing him dressed in drag but rejected the label of being a drag queen and said he was just young and having fun at a festival. This incident served as an early indication of the unconventional narrative that would unfold around his public persona.
After the drag debacle came the “Doughnut Diplomacy” episode when Santos left doughnuts and coffee for journalists staked outside his office. This unusual kind gesture was seen as humorous and lighthearted, very much in contrast to the normal interactions between politicians and journalists. For those wondering, no George Santos did not send any doughnuts to the roadrunner.
The incident involving George Santos and Senator Mitt Romney during the State of the Union address was also a very notable moment. Romney criticized Santos, leading to a verbal clash between the two. Santos responded to Romney’s criticism by remarking that it was not “very Mormon of him.” The whole situation had hardcore high school drama vibes and truthfully that is exactly what George Santos’s aura is.
Additionally, the revelation that he used campaign funds for personal expenses on OnlyFans raised serious ethical questions and just general confusion because that is actually insane like you cannot make this up.
More recently after leaving Congress, Santos debuted on Cameo, charging $200 for personalized videos of him saying whatever people told him to say.
George Santos also participated in an interview with comedian Ziwe Fumudoh on December 18th. During this interview, Ziwe attempted to address various controversies surrounding Santos, however, the interview did not break any new ground regarding George’s many controversies. Instead, it showcased Santos’ transformation from a disgraced figure into a kind of low-level celebrity, eager to capitalize on his notoriety. Santos played along with the interview’s satirical nature, even making light of his legal troubles for comedic effect.
While his pop culture antics are amusing, Santos’s political life is drowning in controversy. Facing federal charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, he’s currently engaged in plea negotiations, attempting to navigate the treacherous waters of the legal system.
So, is George Santos the new pop culture icon of American politics? His presence in the political landscape is a fever dream and every time he makes headlines you just never know what it’s going to be for this time.
Santos’s fame is deeply rooted in controversy and that is what keeps America both entertained and engaged. He went from being a congressional candidate to a figure of national intrigue and that showcases the current nature of American politics, where controversy, charisma, and staying in the headlines matters more than actual politics.
