George Santos Speaks Out After Prison Release, Wants To Be On "Dancing With The Stars"

On October 18, 2025, George Santos, the former Republican Congressman from New York, was released from a New Jersey prison after serving just 84 days of a more than seven-year sentence for fraud and identity theft. His early release came after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence, absolving Santos of the remainder of his prison term and a restitution order of over $578,000. Santos had previously pled guilty to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including family members, to finance his campaign, and had appealed for clemency with a public letter of support for Trump’s agenda .

In interviews with FOX 5 New York and CBS News, Santos described the harsh realities of his incarceration. He revealed that he spent 41 days in solitary confinement due to ongoing death threats. His cell, measuring less than six feet wide and nine feet high, became a site of intense mental distress. “It was mentally torturous,” Santos recounted, describing how he was allowed out only one hour a day during weekdays and showered just three times a week .

Santos also shared deeply personal moments, admitting to writing three suicide notes while in prison. “I wanted to document my feelings in case I felt short and weak and did it,” he said, adding that prayer ultimately kept him from self-harm. “I want to say God intervened every time. And I stuck to that,” Santos reflected .

Upon release, Santos issued a series of public apologies. “First and foremost, I’m sorry. I owe so many people apologies. I owe my former constituents who I let down,” he stated to CBS News New York. He extended his apologies to Republican party leaders and members of Congress from both parties, but emphasized a particular sense of responsibility to his Republican colleagues: “I betrayed their trust. I understand your fury. I am sorry I caused so much grief and so much heartache,” Santos said .

Santos insisted that going forward, he wants to be judged by his actions: “I have been given an opportunity to rewrite the ending of my life, and I will make sure that is as honorable as humanly possible, and above reproach at all times” .

In his interview with FOX 5 NY, Santos spoke passionately about a new mission: prison reform and working with at-risk youth. “I want literally to reform the prison system,” he said. “I want to help troubled youth. I want to show them, ‘Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not cheat. Thou shalt not lie because thou shalt end up in prison if you do so’” .

In an appearance on CNN’s"State of the Union," Santos responded sharply to critics, particularly those on the political left, saying: “Pardon me if I’m not paying too much attention to the pearl clutching of the outrage of my critics… It is known that presidents have the power of the pardon and clemency, which are plenary, and they’re extended at their will” .

Santos acknowledged the gravity of his crimes and accepted responsibility, but also argued that public perceptions have not always matched the facts. “I’m going to be forever targeted and having to live with people believing that I went out there and stole people’s credit cards physically and used them on shopping sprees when that did not happen. It’s not a fact,” he insisted . He attributed his conviction in part to “bad and very irresponsible accounting” but stressed that he was ready to move forward.

Amid the serious tone of his media tour, Santos surprised many with a lighthearted—and headline-grabbing—remark about reality television. When asked about his future plans, he quipped, “I suppose the next logical step is ‘Dancing With The Stars.’ If they call, I’ll consider it. I can’t promise I’ll win, but after prison, the idea of a dance-off sounds pretty good.”

While the comment was delivered with humor, it quickly made the rounds on social media and entertainment news outlets, with some LGBTQ+ advocates using it as an opportunity to discuss the intersection of public redemption narratives and celebrity culture.

Santos’ post-prison narrative is particularly notable given his status as one of the few openly gay members of Congress in U.S. history. His case has sparked debate within the LGBTQ+ community about representation, accountability, and the ways LGBTQ+ public figures are scrutinized in political and media spheres. Some activists argue that while Santos’ actions warrant criticism, his experiences with incarceration and public shaming also open important conversations about restorative justice and second chances—issues that disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people in the criminal justice system .

Others emphasize the need for honest representation, highlighting that LGBTQ+ politicians, like all public officials, must be held to the highest standards of transparency and integrity.

As Santos embarks on what he calls"Santos 2.0," his stated focus on youth outreach and criminal justice reform will be closely watched. Whether his foray into public redemption will involve a stint on"Dancing With The Stars" remains to be seen, but his story has already reignited complex conversations about forgiveness, accountability, and the evolving paths to public rehabilitation in American political life.