George Santos says he has spoken to Trump personally after pardon

George Santos has said he has spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump after the president commuted his sentence for fraud.

Writing on X, the former New York Republican representative said he would “never forget” the conversation he had with Trump after the president released him less than three months into his sentence, having pleaded guilty in August 2024 to multiple counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, campaign finance violations, and other financial crimes.

Newsweek reached out to Santos and the White House by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.

Why It Matters

Trump’s use of pardons and commutations, granted to the president under the U.S. Constitution, has raised questions about the limits of executive power.

The president’s pardons thus far—including releasing around 1,500 people convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot—have raised eyebrows among his critics, while his supporters have said they are necessary to correct what they deem to be unjust sentences.

Santos is the sixth lawmaker in U.S. history to be expelled from the House of Representatives, so his case has drawn widespread attention and scrutiny from people of all political persuasions.

What To Know

Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December 2023, pleaded guilty to financial schemes linked to his 2022 campaign for office and personal finances. He had submitted false fundraising reports to the Federal Election Commission and false financial disclosures with the House of Representatives. He also stole donor identities, charging their cards without consent, and used donations to buy designer clothing, service debt payments and make cash withdrawals.

He was sentenced in April 2025 to 87 months in federal prison and began serving his term at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, in July. Republicans like Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had lobbied for his release and sent a letter in August asking the Justice Department to commute his sentence.

Writing on X, after Trump announced his release, Santos said he had been given “a true second chance at life” and an opportunity “to walk a better path.” He said he expressed his “deepest gratitude” to the president and said: “Earlier today, I had the honor of speaking with him personally, a conversation I will never forget. In that moment, I saw not only the strength of a great leader, but the heart of a man who believes in mercy, in redemption, and in the promise that America gives everyone the promise of a second chance.”

He added: “His kindness, his humanity, and his generosity toward my family and me touched me deeply. President Trump reminded me that in this country we love so much, no mistake, no hardship, and no fall from grace can take away the possibility of renewal. His faith in second chances reignited my own, and for that, I will be forever thankful.”

Trump commuting his sentence shortens Santos’ punishment for his crime. Unlike a pardon, it does not erase his conviction so Santos remains a convicted felon.

What People Are Saying

Former Representative George Santos’ attorney Joseph Murray posted on his client’s X account on Friday: “God bless President Donald J Trump the greatest President in U.S. history!”

President Donald Trump wrote in part in a Truth Social post Friday: “…at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! 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!”

Republican Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X: “THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!”

The minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, in a post on X: “Donald Trump has time to free serial fraudster George Santos from prison.

“But he can’t be bothered to address the Republican health care crisis crushing working-class Americans.

“The extremists are insulting you every single day.”

What Happens Next

Santos remains a felon as his sentence was commuted and he was not given a pardon. He said he held “no anger” toward his critics and would “move forward with humility” without “revenge.”

“My goal now is to turn my past into something meaningful, to help create a justice system that truly believes in rehabilitation and second chances,” he said.