A tweet by newly-elected Republican Congressman George Santos of New York claiming to be "biracial" resurfaced amidst his string of lies about his ancestry, education and job resumé during his campaign for office.
The embattled Republican-elect is scheduled to be sworn in next Tuesday and has no plans to step down even as he is being called out by both sides of the aisle for his blatant lies.
If the 34-year-old non-incumbent Republican assumes office, he may be investigated by the House Committee on Ethics and the Justice Department for his perpetual fabrications and possible campaign finance violations.
After Santos drew public scrutiny for making false biographical claims, including his proclamation that he was "a proud American Jew", an old tweet resurfaced in which he also claimed he was "biracial."
In a tweet from July 2020, Santos invoked Martin Luther King Jr. and railed against a "Black anthem" movement, claiming it to be "divisive."
He stated:
"As a biracial person I stand tall against segregation of any kind."
When he was asked to clarify how he was biracial—which races he claimed to be, Santos replied:
"Caucasian and black."
\u201c@mexmtnmama Caucasian and black\u201d— hello (@hello) 1593836493
His response contradicted his own campaign biography stating he was the son of Brazillian immigrants who fled from the Holocaust during World War II despite genealogical records showing no indication his ancestors had any Jewish heritage nor were Holocaust survivors.
Santos drew the ire of the public after he told the New York Post he was "clearly Catholic" after previously stating he was Jewish in campaign speeches and print materials.
He walked back his claim, saying his grandmother told him stories about being Jewish and later converting to Catholicism.
"I am Catholic," he asserted:
“Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background, I said I was ‘Jew-ish’."
"He deceived us and misrepresented his heritage. In public comments and to us personally, he previously claimed to be Jewish.”
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ This happens to be true! I\u2019ve met George Santos\u2019 mom.\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ George Santos, like Trump, lies every time he opens his mouth. He should not be seated in Congress.\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
People had a rough time keeping track of all of Santos' lies.
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ OMG \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude1c\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude1c\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude1c\n\nDo we know if he\u2019s claimed to be Hindu? A pilot? Former shortstop for the Boston Braves? A suffragette? From Pandora? Mr. Monopoly? The Count of Monte Cristo? I\u2019d just like to know what he hasn\u2019t claimed\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ So he's an American Catholic, of Brazilin parents, who are Black and Caucasian, who's ancestors came from Belgium, originally Ukrainian Jews trying to avoid the Holocaust? I'm surprised he's not Hispanic too.\n\nI'm part Spaniard (Caucasian), Black and Taino (Caribbean Native).\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ Is anyone making a spreadsheet of all his claims where we can sort by date and subject? So many lies. I can't keep up.\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ He's biracial now? Geez.. There are too many "embellishments" to keep up with.\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
Santos–who was elected to represent New York's 3rd congressional district which covers part of northern Long Island and northeast Queens–found himself under investigation by Long Island prosecutors on Wednesday.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said during the announcement of the Santos probe:
“The numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-Elect Santos are nothing short of stunning."
“The residents of Nassau County and other parts of the third district must have an honest and accountable Representative in Congress. No one is above the law and if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it.”
Santos' other fabrications include his employment history working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.
\u201c"These are blatant lies and it draws into question how your constituents and the American people can believe anything you may say on the floor of the House -- Tulsi Gabbard actually did an impressive job grilling George Santos, who was clearly flustered\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1672189276
After The New York Times called him out on his claims, Santos told Rupert Murdoch's tabloid, The New York Post:
“My sins here are embellishing my resume. I’m sorry."
The soon-to-be lawmaker went on to claim he “never worked directly” for those high-profile Wall Street firms but instead worked as a vice president for a company called Link Bridge that he claimed worked with Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.
Santos said of that lie:
"I will be clearer about that. It was stated poorly."
\u201c@SollenbergerRC George Santos trying to erase everything\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
A further review of Santos' tweets revealed his mother died on 9/11/2001 and again on December 23, 2016.
@mommamia1217/Twitter
He also admitted he never graduated from any college after claiming he received a degree from Baruch College in New York City in 2010.
He came clean, saying:
“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume."
"I own up to that … We do stupid things in life.”
\u201c@SollenbergerRC @C00KE_ So he\u2019s:\nJew-ish\nBlack-ish\nRich-ish\nProperty Owner-ish\nCollege Grad-ish\nAnd his mother is dead-ish\u2026twice \n\nAm I missing anything?\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
\u201c@zonkerscm @SollenbergerRC @MEPFuller @C00KE_ Trying to keep track of Santos stories\u201d— Roger Sollenberger (@Roger Sollenberger) 1672281781
“I am not a criminal,” Santos stressed during his interview with the Post.
He added:
“This [controversy] will not deter me from having good legislative success. I will be effective. I will be good.”