Expelled ex-congressman George Santos is set to appear on News 12 Long Island’s “Power and Politics” segment on Sunday – and the Suffolk County Republican Party isn’t happy about it.
The announcement by News 12 to interview Santos comes shortly after Santos announced his intent to challenge U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) to a GOP primary for New York’s 1st Congressional District. Santos, who infamously fabricated much of his resume and life story, was expelled from Congress on Dec. 1 and pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of federal fraud charges, for which he is set to appear in court in August.
“News 12 has made a terrible error in an effort to gain viewers with the decision to have George Santos as a guest on the network’s Power and Politics program,” Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee, said. “It is beyond understanding how News 12-the primary cable television media outlet for this entire region-is providing a forum for a man who in a bi-partisan vote was thrown out of Congress for being exposed as a complete fraud who lied to voters and supporters. It is a shameless attempt to gain viewers, and the decision will not go unnoticed by the dwindling number of Altice subscribers on Long Island.”
George Santos – who, for what it’s worth, directly told the media how to de-platform him – responded via X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Here is a desperate attempt at silencing me by the Suffolk GOP chairman Jesse Garcia,” Santos wrote. “The local GOP doesn’t want voters to hear from me because they’re are scared I’m redeeming myself by brining proof with me about their dirty deeds. I strongly urge the Chairman to step down as the allegation of his extramarital affairs continue to disgrace the Local GOP and his family. The people of NY1 deserve to hear all sides and compare the voting records of both me and Lalota. But since the chairman wants to make it about personal politics I suggest he look in the mirror.”
A representative for Altice USA, News 12’s parent company, did not immediately return a request for comment.
