Sen. John Fetterman Pays George Santos $343 To Mock Sen. Menendez

HARRISBURG, PA — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman has courted former Congressman George Santos, the New York Republican ousted from office after authorities said he fabricated nearly his entire biography and resume, in an attempt to embarass New Jersey's Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez.

The bizarre series of events, which involve Fetterman paying $343 to Santos to make a video demanding Menendez's resignation, according to NPR and CNN, has earned accolades from far right commentators and across the conservative spectrum.

"I thought my ethically-challenged colleague (Sen. Menendez) could use some encouragement given his substantial legal problems," Fetterman captioned the video from Santos, which he posted on his social media account.

In the video, Santos adopts a sarcastic tone in addressing "Bobby," pretending to urge him to tell detractors to "put up or shut up...you stand your ground, sir."

Menendez, a veteran legislator, faces federal charges for bribery after an indictment alleged he "provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt." He and his wife Nadine were accused of accepting gold bars, cash, and a car from businessmen who sought the senator’s help and influence over foreign affairs.

The couple have pleaded not guilty.

Fetterman later said in an appearance on The View that he enlisted Santos because it wasn't fair to kick Santos out of office and to keep Menendez.

The comments were widely cited by the right, which has moved to pressure Democrats to immediately remove Menendez.

"Whatever drugs they're giving John Fetterman to start making sense, please start giving them to Joe Biden," said Charlie Kirk, founder of the controversial political action committee Turning Point USA.

It's not the first time recently that Fetterman, once considered a bastion of the progressive movement, has found himself a darling of the right and obscure far right commentators. He recently issued strong comments supporting increased border funding, as well as condemning pro-Palestinian groups, which positioned protests against the violence and the death of Gazan children as support for terrorism. He also denied United Nations claims that Israeli violence had caused an unacceptable civilian death toll.