Trump commutes George Santos’ prison term, orders immediate release: 'Have a great life'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has canceled the prison sentence of George Santos, a former Republican congressman, allowing him to return home immediately.

The move came about three months after Santos was sent to a federal prison in New Jersey in July to begin serving a seven-year sentence.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that Santos "has been horribly mistreated," adding "Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!"

Donald Trump cancels George Anthony Santos’ seven-year prison sentence

On Saturday, October 18, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce that George Santos had been 'mistreated'. Santos had been behind bars for convictions related to fraud and identity theft.

"George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue,' but there are many rogue throughout our country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump wrote. He went on to say, "George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!"

The President also used the post to criticize Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, accusing him of fabricating his military record. "This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!" Trump wrote.

George Santos sentenced for fraud and identity theft, expelled from Congress

George Santos, the former congressman, became only the sixth member in US history to be expelled from Congress after a damning ethics report in 2023. His crimes were serious: Santos admitted to stealing the identities of 11 people, including members of his own family, and was serving time at a minimum-security prison in New Jersey.

When he was sentenced in April, the judge didn’t mince words: "You got elected with your words, most of which were lies." Santos, reportedly in tears, begged for a second chance, saying, "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead."

Prosecutors painted a picture of a young politician who had lied about his background and misused campaign funds to support his lifestyle. Ultimately, Santos faced 23 federal felony charges.

George Santos asks Donald Trump for fairness in open letter

On Monday, October 13, Santos published an open letter to Trump in the South Shore Press in Long Island. He called it a "passionate plea to President Trump" and asked for "the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community."

In the letter, he revealed that he had spent time in solitary confinement after a death threat in August and expressed deep remorse for his actions. "Mr President, I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for fairness-for the chance to rebuild," he wrote.

"I know I have made mistakes in my past. I have faced my share of consequences, and I take full responsibility for my actions. But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires," said Santos.