Just when you think this story cant get worse.
Only two months after admitting the truth to The Post that he was responsible for "embellishing my resume," the Long Island Rep. George Santos admits to being a "terrible liar," but blamed his recurring fabrications on the pressures of politics.
This 34-year-old Republican is subject to investigation by state, local and federal lawmakers for suspects of violations in the area of campaign finance. Santos claimed he thought he could get off with his lies since he "got away with it" in his 2020 House campaign.
Santos made the shocking remarks in the interview with Talk TV host and Post columnist Piers Morgan. In the interview, Santos claimed he faked key information about his past to gain approval with his local GOP officials.
"It wasn't about tricking people," the man said. "This was about getting accepted by the party here locally."
Santos's "blame-shifting" followed Morgan saying that any chance of "redemption" needs to start with you saying,I've been a terrible liar." "Would you be prepared to say that?"
"Sure," replied Santos. "Well, I've been a terrible liar on those subjects, and what I tried to convey to the American people is, I made mistakes."
Morgan also questioned why Santos believed "no one would find out."
Well, Ill humor you this: I ran in 2020 for the same exact seat for Congress. And I got away with it then, Santos responded.
After a long exchange, Morgan pressed Santos over his claim in his campaign that his mom died from cancer in 2016 as a consequence of working at the World Trade Center when the Twin Towers were destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Morgan claimed that there was the "full record" of everyone who attended on the day, and Morgan said that Santos's mother, Fatima Devolder, isn't included.
Respectfully, please, I wont debate my mothers life, as shes passed in 16 and I think its, its quite unsensitive for everybody to want to rehash my mothers legacy, said Santos.
However, Morgan did not give up, citing reports of her visa application in 2003 where Devolder claimed "she hadn't been in the US since 1999."
"So everything points to her being close to that of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11. I think it's important because it's such a tense element of modern American history. So let me ask If your mother was employed there? Or did you have a bad experience?" Morgan continued.
Santos answered, No. My mother was I was 13 years old [on] September 11, 2001. I was in the United States when my mother was here because she had full custody of both her children. So, its
"Did she lie on her visa application?" Morgan inquired. "I don't know," Santos responded. "I was a child when these things were being done, so I have no clue and no recollection."
Another topic covered was Santoss claim to the Post of being Jewish. No, no, no. Not falsely claiming Im Jewish. Id always say Im I was raised Catholic but I come from a Jewish family, so that makes me Jew-ish. Its always been a party favorite. Everybodys always laughed.
"And now that everybody's canceling me, everybody's pounding down for a pound of flesh," claimed Santos. "Because you're not Jewish!" Morgan declared.
Santos was also vocal about his privacy being violated and said that he wouldn't have run for office had the candidate known what was going to occur.
When Morgan asked about what was it like to be George Santos nowadays, Santos replied, "Well, it's uncomfortable."
Just last night, we my husband and I went out to the movies. And you know, as Im walking from getting the tickets to get to the concession stand to get to the theater, [there were] whispers all across the movie theater. So its just very strange, you know.
Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is in charge of a portion of Santos district, has said that Santos whole rationale is ridiculous. Its nonsense.
Its very sad. He has some kind of disorder. He needs help, Blakeman added.
On December 26, Santos disclosed to The Post that he repeatedly lied during his 2022 House campaign, but he firmly declared, "I am not a criminal."
The most notable lie he admitted to was falsely asserting that he "worked directly" for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, having graduated from Baruch College, and also had a Jewish mother, whose parents were able to escape from the Nazis in World War II.
Santos insisted at the time that he "never claimed to be Jewish." He said, I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was Jew-ish,' he insisted.
In the years since, the pile of Santos lies and alleged wrongdoings has grown, and included the recent revelation that Santos lied about his investment in the huge Broadway film "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."
This month House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) confirmed that Santos -- who has been asked to resign by a number of other Republicans, is being investigated by the Ethics Committee.
This prompted U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) to present an expulsion resolution for Santos, "There's nothing about him that we know is truthful."
No matter how many investigations and lies Santos is facing, Rep. Richie Torres (D-The Bronx) is claiming that Santos is working on his re-election campaign.
Santos is telling advisors that he wishes to serve a 2nd term, despite previously promising that he wouldnt run for re-election, said a tweet by Torres.
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