George Santos was supposed to spend seven years in prison, but now, he’s hoping to compete on Dancing With the Stars instead. On Friday, October 17, President Donald Trump announced that he commuted the former New York Republican Congressman’s sentence. Previously, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft charges. Thanks to Trump’s commutation, Santos only served less than three months of his seven-year sentence.
Apparently, he’s considering making his reality TV debut — something that he’s teased for quite some time now (but his prison sentence likely got in the way). During an interview with New York Magazine, Santos suggested that he would be a great contender for Dancing With the Stars.
“Sean Spicer had a good time, and Anna Delvey did it in an ankle monitor,” he told the publication. “Why can’t I do it?” The idea might be motivated, at least in part, by money, the publication noted. But it’s also not the first time Santos has mentioned being on reality TV. In 2024, he claimed he was “working on a movie — a documentary — and also a reality TV show.”
During the recent interview, he also said he’s using the notes he wrote in prison to write a memoir. Before he became a convicted felon, numerous people suggested that Santos should work in the entertainment industry instead of politics. For example, comedian John Oliver previously said, “This man never belonged in Congress; he belongs on Bravo.”
I’m not trying to be toxic but it’s kind of funny that my name alone can ruin a liberals entire day! 😂 pic.twitter.com/stzjRcgK6d
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) October 23, 2025
Elsewhere in the interview with New York Magazine, Santos complained about the skincare products and food available in prison. According to him, “the best thing you have there for skin care is the Neutrogena glycerin soap bars.” As for the food, he said, “I felt like I was in a Mexican prison because it’s beef taco, beef-taco salad, chicken taco, chicken-taco salad, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas. I’m like, ‘How many Mexican dishes are we gonna serve in an American prison?'”
In a Truth Social post announcing the commutation, Trump said Santos was “horribly mistreated” in prison, and in spite of his crimes, he at least “had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” Trump wrote at the beginning of his lengthy post. He concluded it with, “Good luck George, have a great life!”
