Convicted fraudster and former Congressman George Santos released a video praising President Donald Trump’s leadership as the U.S. teeters on the brink of war with Iran.

Breaking his silence after he was sentenced to over seven years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft, Santos, 36, took to social media to speak out against critics of the commander-in-chief amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

‘Hey folks its been real, and its also been a minute,’ the convicted former congressman says in a selfie video posted on X. 

‘I’m kind of here just because I needed to stand by President Trump for this, because it’s important to me.’

Santos shared in the video that he learned from the Iranian community in the new York district he used to represent all about the country’s revolution and the overthrow of the shah in 1979. 

‘The Ayatollah is a regime of terror, of suppression, of lack of liberties. I just want to remind everybody President Trump is doing the right thing in assisting Israel in clearing the Ayatollah and eradicating them from the face of the earth.’

‘It’s time to free Iranians. It’s time to allow Iranians to be free again and to eliminate the threat of nuclear terror in the Middle East.’

His message seemed to be a direct hit at some of Trump’s MAGA fans including ex-Fox News star Tucker Carlson and others who have warned him against directly attacking Iran.

But the 95-second long video from home may have had another motivation, some astute X observers mentioned, like earning the prison-bound Santos a pardon from the president. 

Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos posted a video in support of President Donald Trump amid the leader's deliberation over whether to get involved in a war with Iran

Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos posted a video in support of President Donald Trump amid the leader’s deliberation over whether to get involved in a war with Iran

'I'm kind of here just because I needed to stand by President Trump for this, because it's important to me,' Santos said in the video

‘I’m kind of here just because I needed to stand by President Trump for this, because it’s important to me,’ Santos said in the video

Smoke rises after an Israel airstrike in central Tehran, Iran, 17 June 2025. Israel has been conducting strikes across Iran since 13 June, targeting nuclear, military, and energy facilities, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory waves of missiles and drones toward Israel

Smoke rises after an Israel airstrike in central Tehran, Iran, 17 June 2025. Israel has been conducting strikes across Iran since 13 June, targeting nuclear, military, and energy facilities, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory waves of missiles and drones toward Israel

‘Pardon hunting,’ one user commented on Santos’ video. 

Another wrote: ‘Might as well go hard for the pardon, nothing to lose at this point.’ 

‘Wait, I thought you were in jail?’ commented someone else.

Santos was ordered by a New York court to surrender by July 25. 

‘No more stop,’ Santos defended the president in the video. ‘This is a misguided attack on a man who’s trying to make the world a safer place.’

‘Iran must be dealt with with force,’ he added. ‘It is time, and high time we take action.’    

‘I stand with Israel for fighting this oppressive regime, and I stand with all of those involved in ridding the earth of this cancer that is the Ayatollah.’

The fraudster pledged to stand by Trump whatever he decides. 

The ex-lawmaker pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated last August, but his sentencing was not until May

The ex-lawmaker pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated last August, but his sentencing was not until May

During Santos’ case earlier this year,  the prosecution painted the former lawmaker as a bombastic serial liar who eventually turned to criminality to support his expensive lifestyle that was built on audacious fabrications.

Santos would go on tirades on social media, claiming he did not commit crimes that he admitted in court and lashing out at his detractors.  

Some of the evidence included how Santos called Department of Justice a ‘cabal of pedophiles.’

It also included social media posts in which he denied using campaign funds to make purchases at Hermès, despite having done so.

‘Santos did use campaign contributions made to Redstone Strategies LLC to make luxury purchases at, among other stores, Hermès,’ the prosecution argued. 

The former congressman was also ordered to pay at least $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit over $200,000, according to a plea agreement he made last year. 

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk