'Think I can't win?' Disgraced GOP lawmaker ridiculed for floating congressional comeback

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who was expelled from Congress in late 2023 after being federally indicted on fraud charges, floated the idea of a congressional comeback Wednesday – and was met with a wave of mockery from online critics.

“If Congress doesn’t move to remove illegitimate [Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)], I’ll run again just to remove her from office in 2028,” Santos wrote in a social media post on X.

“Think I can’t win? Try me, my life is an open book and I’ll take aim at any seat and primary someone out just to prove a point, the American people rather vote for someone who is open about their life and past and seeking truth than someone who is shady and full of secrets. Remove [Omar] NOW!”

Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, pleading guilty to identity theft and wire fraud in August of 2024, starting his sentence in April the following year. Leading up to his incarceration, Santos made frantic pleas out of concern for his safety, and while in prison, was reportedly subjected to solitary confinement.

Santos was released from prison less than three months into his 87-month sentence at the behest of President Donald Trump, and now is apparently considering running for office again. Online critics, however, were quick to pan the idea.

“Yes please run against her in Minnesota it will be so victorious for you,” wrote Brian Rosenworcel, a drummer for the band Guster, in what appeared to be a sarcastic quip.

Santos fired back, calling Rosenworcel an “idiot” and claiming that he was not intending to run against Omar, suggesting his plan involved running for office elsewhere and using that authority to oust the Minnesota Democrat.

“You’re actually pathetic,” wrote another, X user "Mia Thermopolis,” a frequent critic of the Republican Party, in a social media post to her more than 2,300 followers.

“Bite me b----,” Santos fired back.

And X user “Kristi,” who also frequently shares content critical of the GOP, encouraged Santos to run, but only to provide an opportunity to “shut” him “up.”

“Your life may be an open book, but it’s one of deceit and lies,” she wrote to her more than 3,300 followers. “Please for the love of god, run for office so we can shut you up.”

Santos, again, fired back at the online criticism.