Rep. George Santos, who is facing scrutiny over a web of false claims, including a family connection to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will bring a former firefighter who did rescue work at ground zero as his guest to the State of the Union.
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who is facing scrutiny over a web of false claims, including a family connection to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will bring a former firefighter who did rescue work at ground zero as his guest to the State of the Union on Tuesday.
To do so has already proved challenging. Weinstock, a lawyer, said that he was let go by his law firm last week over his decision to attend the State of the Union with Santos. Santos’ campaign website currently says that Devolder “survived the tragic events on September 11th, but she passed away a few years later when she lost her battle to cancer.”
Weinstock would not comment on the doubts around Santos’ claimed links to Sept. 11, saying he had been avoiding news coverage about it in part because of his illness and in part because of his personal ties to the congressman. That September, on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Santos posted a photo of Weinstock on his Instagram account. “I can’t thank Michael enough for his brave actions and for having been a first responder,” the caption read. “Michael also happens to be a Democrat and former congressional candidate in 2020 who believes in serving his country.”
During his 2022 campaign, Santos offered to “host a GoFundMe” to raise money for Weinstock’s medical care, Weinstock said, noting that he declined the gesture, fearing the fundraiser would be used as part of Santos’ political campaign.