George Santos, Republican ex-congressman, licensed grifter and unlikely homosexual icon, is now on Cameo.
Santos’ stint in Congress — checkered with a slew of felony fraud costs, a Home ethics committee probe and allegations of misspending marketing campaign funds on bills like Botox and OnlyFans subscriptions — ended final week when fellow representatives voted to expel him from the Home in a 311-114 vote.
The previous New York consultant is now pivoting to Cameo as a self-proclaimed “Former congressional Icon,” charging $200 per personalised video. The vary of potential content material contains recommendation, gossip, pep talks, roasts and answering questions. On the time of writing, Santos already bought 100 movies on Cameo, and briefly suspended future gross sales.
If $200 is just too steep for a 30 to 60 second video, it’s also possible to message Santos immediately for simply $9.99 – although Cameo notes that “you aren’t assured a response” even should you pay the payment.
Picture Credit: Screenshot through Cameo
When Santos initially debuted the Cameo account on Monday morning, the price of a single video was $75, as Wired first reported. He has remodeled a dozen public Cameos since launching his account, together with one addressed to Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt, by which he inspired her to face by her convictions as she faces “robust warmth within the press.”
“So that is about you, Megan,” Santos mentioned. “Be your self unapologetically. Simply just be sure you don’t purchase into the hate and stand your floor and don’t allow them to power you out.”
Hunt, who left the Democratic social gathering earlier this yr and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has been a staunch advocate in opposition to banning gender affirming care, and has been harassed by conservative teams over her assist of her trans son. Her political stances are diametrically against these of Santos’, who has endorsed laws that will prohibit LGBTQ+ rights regardless of being homosexual himself.
To be clear, George Santos is a transphobic idiot who has defrauded and harmed individuals, who says what he has to say to get consideration and doubtless doesn’t truly maintain any private ethical convictions, and I additionally agree with the recommendation on this video.
— Senator Megan Hunt (@NebraskaMegan) December 4, 2023
On X (previously Twitter), Hunt clarified that the Cameo was a present from a pal, and suggested in opposition to truly shopping for the movies from Santos.
“To be clear, George Santos is a transphobic idiot who has defrauded and harmed individuals, who says what he has to say to get consideration and doubtless doesn’t maintain any private ethical convictions, and likewise I agree with the recommendation on this video,” Hunt posted.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) claimed that he commissioned a Cameo from Santos, addressed to his “ethically-challenged colleague” Sen. Bob Menendez (R-NJ).
I assumed my ethically-challenged colleague @BobMenendezNJ may use some encouragement given his substantial authorized issues.
So, I approached a seasoned professional on the matter to offer ‘Bobby from Jersey’ some recommendation. pic.twitter.com/y8iX55EyNi
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) December 4, 2023
Regardless of his serial mendacity and report of anti-LGBTQ+ stances, Santos has turn out to be a popular culture icon as a result of he’s entertaining. His flagrant disregard for political etiquette and flamboyant public persona are perfect meme fodder; when he was expelled from Congress, the phrase “DIVA DOWN” trended on X.
Whether or not or not his followers would truly need him to carry any legislative energy is debatable. His Cameo launch is his newest scheme to get the general public’s consideration in an obvious pivot to being an influencer. Now that his congressional profession is over, Santos is milking his web recognition by deriding different New York representatives as “clowns” and “pompous assholes” on X. He additionally teased a collaboration with comic Ziwe, who floated a pay-per-view look on her satirical interview sequence.
Will he leverage his memeability to additional his political profession? Unclear. However getting expelled from Congress isn’t sufficient to eliminate him – the web fascination with Santos solely bolsters his try at a redemption arc.
It helps that popular culture has a gentle spot for rip-off narratives. Convicted grifters like Anna “Delvey” Sorokin and Elizabeth Holmes have rebranded themselves as girlboss folks heroes who flew too near the solar. Fictionalized retellings of their tales on Netflix and Hulu painting the ladies as sympathetically bold, as a substitute of criminals who defrauded traders with lofty guarantees.
Following within the footsteps of those that grifted earlier than him, Santos can be making strikes to memorialize himself as congressional diva, somewhat than a corrupt politician going through costs of identification theft and bank card fraud. HBO already optioned the rights to the guide “The Fabulist: The Mendacity, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos,” which printed final week.
Cultural relevance is priceless, and on-line platforms like Cameo provide even probably the most egregious public figures a gentle touchdown of their fall from grace. Santos is the sixth ever consultant to be expelled from the Home, and the primary to be ousted with out supporting the Confederacy or being convicted of a federal crime. Earlier than the creator economic system was a viable trade, a redemption arc like this could have been unthinkable. However with sassy Cameo movies and strategic appearances on viral speak exhibits, Santos will keep within the highlight slightly longer.