New York Representative George Santos is standing by his claims that he has Jewish heritage, despite facing scrutiny and lacking documentation to prove it.
In an interview on CNN's "Inside Politics," Santos revealed that he has spent the last 10 months evaluating his DNA and working with a genealogist to support his claims. He acknowledged that he has yet to acquire the necessary documentation, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where his grandfather hails from.
Santos expressed his determination to prove his family's connection to the Holocaust and stated that he will share the evidence with the press once it is ready.
Santos, a Catholic, emphasized that he comes from a Jewish family but clarified that he has never claimed to be Jewish. He explained that he has always jokingly referred to himself as "Jew-ish" and that it was meant to be lighthearted. However, questions have arisen about the accuracy of his account and the lack of supporting documentation.
The past year has been tumultuous for Santos, who narrowly won the competitive 3rd District in New York last November. He has faced controversy after revelations that he fabricated significant portions of his personal history. Despite the challenges he has faced, Santos expressed that he does not regret running for office.
During the interview, Santos addressed the 23-count indictment he is currently facing, which includes charges of embezzlement and lying to Congress. He maintained his innocence and stated that he has yet to discuss the possibility of a plea deal. Santos denied allegations that he manipulated his campaign's finances to qualify for additional resources and emphasized that candidates do not handle money directly.
Prosecutors have referenced email and text messages that they believe demonstrate Santos' guilt. However, Santos dismissed these allegations, claiming that the communications may have been taken out of context. He vehemently denied falsely claiming to have loaned his campaign around $500,000, despite his bank accounts showing significantly less money at the time. Santos also distanced himself from accusations of using campaign funds for personal expenses, stating that any charges made in error would be refunded.
Santos' campaign fundraising has taken a hit, with the third quarter reporting a negative balance and $123,000 more in debt than previously reported. Despite these challenges, Santos survived an attempt by fellow New York Republicans to expel him from Congress. He believes that the move was motivated by political expediency and an attempt to save face locally.
The bid to oust Santos was fueled by his public lies about attending college and other aspects of his biography. Santos acknowledged his mistakes and expressed remorse, attributing his actions to insecurity and stupidity. He has apologized and will continue to do so.
In addition to the ongoing legal challenges, Santos is also facing an investigation from the House Ethics Committee, which is expected to release its findings by November 17. Despite the obstacles, Santos remains confident in his ability to prevail in the upcoming GOP primary and general election. He emphasized that his constituents elected him to fight against the political establishment, not based on his personal background or achievements.
During the interview, Santos revealed that he was inspired to enter politics by progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He praised her as a "scrappy girl" who proved that anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation, can succeed in politics.
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