WASHINGTON — Embattled Rep. George Santos is refusing to face the music, however he seems to be relishing his second within the highlight.
The New York Republican and freshman fabulist, the topic of federal, state, native and worldwide investigations, was noticed Wednesday night time by NBC Information smiling, laughing and taking dozens of selfies with patrons throughout karaoke night time at a well-liked D.C. barbecue joint.
“Many individuals are asking why I’d need a selfie with George Santos, to which I say who *wouldn’t* need a image with the lead singer of Queen, father of Texas BBQ, Purple Coronary heart Iraq conflict hero, and three-time Tremendous Bowl champion?” tweeted Natalie Johnson, a former GOP Hill staffer who snapped a selfie with Santos.
Whereas he didn’t seize the microphone and sing when an emcee referred to as out his identify — “George, you’re on deck!” — Santos hung with a bunch of his staffers, reporters, lobbyists and a former lawmaker and had the whole basement of Hill Nation Barbecue buzzing, in accordance with individuals who had been there.
The group, which included former Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., tried to get him to sing karaoke, and he appeared to contemplate getting up on stage with the dwell band however in the end declined, in accordance with Politico Playbook and witnesses.
His tune of selection, Santos informed mates: “I Will Survive.”
“All people’s obtained to alleviate stress one way or the other, and he’s obtained rather a lot to launch,” stated Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., who heard about Santos’ karaoke outing however was not there.
“Any outdoors observer can let you know that that is somebody who is completely, completely, fully loving the eye he’s getting,” added Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. “It’s weird.”
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., whose workplace is simply down the corridor from Santos’, urged all that spotlight may benefit Santos. “The fixed protection may flip him right into a martyr,” stated Burchett.
George Anthony Devolder Santos has spent weeks operating and dodging questions from the media. However his large karaoke night time in Washington was simply the newest signal of how the serial sensationalist has switched up his technique for coping with a stack of controversies that retains piling greater with every day: In case you can’t beat ‘em, be part of ‘em.
Along with hitting the city, Santos on Tuesday and Wednesday left Dunkin’ donuts and Chick-fil-A sandwiches out for the pack of reporters and cameramen who’ve been diligently staking out his workplace within the Longworth Home Constructing since his scandal broke.
And in latest gaggles, Santos has stopped to spar with reporters — even when he’s not offering any substantive solutions to the quite a few questions on his checkered previous and marketing campaign funds.
What occurred to the $3,000 he raised by GoFundMe for a Navy veteran’s ailing canine?
“All of those questions shall be answered,” Santos replied to a dozen reporters simply off the Home flooring. “We’re going to be doing a pleasant sit-down with all people so it is going to be incredible to handle each single difficulty.”
Have you ever been contacted by the Home Ethics Committee?
“I’ve not,” Santos stated.
Are you in contact together with your authorized staff?
“With my authorized groups? Do I’ve a authorized staff? I’m asking, do I?” Santos requested reporters with a smile. “You all the time know greater than I do about myself.”
Later that night time, Santos strolled into Hill Nation, the place he spent greater than an hour schmoozing and chatting up patrons. Whereas he was there, somebody sang Inexperienced Day’s “Basket Case.”
A Santos staffer belted “Construct Me Up Buttercup.”
Approached by NBC Information at Hill Nation, Santos stated: “You’re not going to attempt to interview me. … I’ve stated when I’ll reply to the press, it’s going to be complete. Not now, not like this.”
Requested if a congressman who’s going through a lot controversy ought to be out at a karaoke bar taking selfies, Santos’s staffers ushered him away.