Current:Home > reviewsFormer top staffer of ex-congressman George Santos: "You are a product of your own making" -DollarDynamic
Former top staffer of ex-congressman George Santos: "You are a product of your own making"
View
Date:2025-04-21 13:19:26
NEW YORK -- Candidate interviews are underway to fill the now-vacant congressional seat following the expulsion of George Santos.
The former congressman has launched a new way to potentially earn money, but a top former staffer has some advice for him.
He may have been stripped of his seat in the House of Representatives, but Santos is still soaking up the spotlight, as he suggested right before his historic expulsion.
"It doesn't mean that it's goodbye forever," he said Thursday.
READ MORE: George Santos has been expelled from Congress. What happens next?
On his first days as citizen Santos, he has threatened four members of Congress with ethics complaints, launched a Cameo account, which lists him as an "Icon" offering $200 personalized videos that sold out in hours, and took to social media with a cryptic "The truth will set me free" post.
He also got advice from Naysa Woomer, his former communications director.
"You've had many opportunities to tell the truth for about a solid year, so maybe start learning to do that," Woomer said. "You're not a victim. You are a product of your own making. You need to own up to everything that you've lied about."
Woomer resigned after Santos' first indictment.
READ MORE: George Santos expelled: Who are the other House members expelled from Congress?
CBS New York asked why she stayed that long, considering the revelations he had lied about his entire life story. She responded by saying she believed Santos when he would ask, "'What do I do? How do I make this better?'" and adding, "At first, I thought this was someone who was ready to make it right with his constituents."
Woomer is not the only one distancing herself. Michael Sapraicone, who is running for the vacant seat, was just endorsed by Santos and says no thank you.
"He is nothing but a crook and a fraud and he should have been removed from Congress a long time ago," Sapraicone said.
READ MORE: Long Island Republicans and Democrats vetting candidates for special election after George Santos expelled from Congress
Sapraicone is one of 20 Republican hopefuls being interviewed by party leaders, along with an outside firm doing background research.
"George Santos was a blemish and stain. Let's move forward," Nassau County Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo said.
The Democrats are considering three to four candidates.
"The governor has made it very clear that she wants to be sure that the DCCC has done a good vetting of all the potential candidates. We will be meeting and selecting our candidate on Thursday," New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs said.
Both parties are aggressively vetting in the wake of the Santos fiasco.
"I've never seen anybody like this who just truly believed on their own lies, that they truly were the financier that he claimed to be. You've been caught and maybe it's time to speak with a therapist," Woomer said.
Santos is due back in court next week. Woomer said she doesn't want to see him behind bars, but does want him held accountable.
- In:
- United States Congress
- Queens
- George Santos
- United States House of Representatives
- Long Island
Carolyn Gusoff has covered some of the most high profile news stories in the New York City area and is best known as a trusted, tenacious, consistent and caring voice of Long Island's concerns.
Twitter FacebookveryGood! (22)
Related
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Yacht called Kaos vandalized by climate activists in Ibiza
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $280 Crossbody Bag for Just $59
- To fight climate change, and now Russia, too, Zurich turns off natural gas
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Democrat Gavin Newsom to face Republican Brian Dahle in California race for governor
- Tour de France crash reportedly caused by fan taking selfie draws pleas for caution
- 17 Delicate Jewelry Essentials From Sterling Forever, Oradina, Joey Baby & More
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Family sues over fatal police tasering of 95-year-old Australian great-grandmother
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- A high school senior reflects on her community's resilience after a devastating flood
- Ditch Your Self-Tanner and Save 64% On Sweat-Proof Tarte Bronzer That Lasts All Day
- The Western megadrought is revealing America's 'lost national park'
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur region found with remains of almost 90 killed amid ethnic violence
- Flooding at Yellowstone National Park sweeps away a bridge and washes out roads
- Proof Tristan Thompson Is on Good Terms With This Member of the Kardashian Clan
Recommendation
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
Scientists give Earth a 50-50 chance of hitting key warming mark by 2026
Facebook fell short of its promises to label climate change denial, a study finds
Pilot says he jumped into ocean to escape New Zealand volcano that killed 22
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Biden lauds NATO deal to welcome Sweden, but he may get an earful from Zelenskyy about Ukraine's blocked bid
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Step Out Hand-in-Hand for Cozy NYC Stroll
Jason Wahler Shares Rare Glimpse Into His Friendship With Kristin Cavallari After Laguna Beach