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MSNBC Panelists Can't Help But Laugh After Santos Compares Himself To 'Mary Magdalene'
MSNBC host Katie Phang and her guests could barely keep it together after playing New York Republican Representative George Santos' latest rant about his potential expulsion from Congress.
Santos—who has been federally indicted and faces allegations of fabricating his background and misusing campaign funds for luxury items and Botox—portrayed himself as a victim during a lengthy interview with conservative podcaster Monica Matthews, saying he expects to be expelled but will nonetheless treat the process "like a badge of honor."
He then raised eyebrows when he compared himself to Mary Magdalene, who, according to the Bible's four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to his crucifixion and resurrection.
He said:
"Within the ranks of the United States Congress there's felons galore. There's people with all sorts of sheisty backgrounds and all of a sudden George Santos is the Mary Magdalene of United States Congress."
Upon playing a clip of Santos' remarks, Phang and her guests—which included Washington Post conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin and Crooked Media podcast host Juanita Tolliver—could not help but laugh.
You can see their reactions in the video below.
Tolliver expressed skepticism about Santos' political significance within the Republican Party, indicating that while he may have been an additional vote, he wasn't a significant figure:
“I do question him ever being in ‘It girl.’ I don’t think he ever checked that box within the Republican Party, he was merely the extra vote [due to the GOP's slim House majority]."
“But the reality is that George Santos has caused even more shame to come to the Republican Party than someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene, and that’s really, really shocking."
Rubin commented on the GOP's apparent willingness to oust Santos while retaining controversial representatives like Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, that the party prioritizes ideology and loyalty to the MAGA movement above all else:
“I think it shows that it’s ideology and MAGA subservience above all. No matter what you’ve done, so long as you’re a devoted MAGA person and pay homage to Donald Trump, you can stay."
"However, if you’re an embarrassment and kind of non-supporter or a lukewarm supporter, or doing nothing for the cause, off you go.”
The clip of Phang and her guests' reactions quickly went viral—prompting many to pile on with mockery of their own.
After a damning House Ethics Committee report revealed he spent thousands in campaign funds on a variety of non-campaign-related items, including OnlyFans, Botox, and trips to Atlantic City and the Hamptons, Santos announced he will not run for reelection.
The report alleged Santos had committed "knowing and willful violations" of House financial disclosure rules and filed "false or incomplete reports" with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The 56-page report offered extensive evidence indicating Santos’ misuse of campaign funds for personal purposes, fraudulent activities toward donors, and submission of false or incomplete campaign finance and financial disclosure reports.
It further accuses Santos of exploiting his House candidacy for personal financial gain through a series of deceptive tactics, including lies about his background and experience to constituents, donors, and staff.
The committee unanimously referred its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ), stating that Santos' actions warranted public condemnation and had severely tarnished the House's reputation.