Five things that lasted longer than George Santos’ prison term as Trump frees him after four months

Another day, another worrying development coming out of the US, as president Donald Trump has chosen to free disgraced GOP member George Santos from prison.

Trump announced on Friday (17 October) that he had signed a commutation releasing Santos from prison after serving less than four months of an eight-year sentence, based on reports that he entered prison in July 2025.

“I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Good luck George, have a great life!”

George Santos, pictured.
George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for identity theft and wire fraud. (Getty)

What did George Santos do?

In April 2025, 37-year-old former New York GOP House member was sentenced to 87 months in jail for over 23 federal felonies, including aggravated identity theft and wire fraud.

Most infamously, Santos ran a credit card fraud scheme in which he stole financial information from his campaign donors and charged thousands to his personal account.

His notoriously “messy” political career also involved accusations that he lied about much of his professional and personal past to get into office, resulting in his expulsion from the House in 2023.

Treating his conviction of serious wire fraud charges like a boy band break-up, Santos wrote on X/Twitter on the day of his imprisonment that his political career had been “wild” and “glamorous.”

Speaking on Sunday following his release, he argued the sentence was “disproportionate” but that he had been served a “very large slice of humble pie.”

Here are a few things that lasted longer than Santos’ slice of that humble pie.


Geri Halliwell and Robbie Williams’ relationship

English singers Robbie Williams and Geri Halliwell attend the Capital Radio Awards ceremony, London, 26th March 1997. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Popstars Geri Halliwell and Robbie Williams’ chaotic and short-lived relationship in the early 2000s lasted just a hair longer than Santos’ time in prison.

The pair were reportedly together for just a few months in 2000. The brief relationship became known after the former Spice Girl was spotted leaving Robbie’s house.

The highly public romance was short-lived, however, after the former Take That star said he was falsely told Geri had been telling the paparazzi where to find the pair.


The pack of popcorn you bought when George Santos was jailed

Popcorn (Wikimedia Commons)

Santos’ imprisonment was undoubtedly met with the sound of multiple popcorn bags opening across the US and beyond. If you kept one of the bags you bought at that time, the good news is you can probably still eat it.

While unopened popcorn bags usually last for around 4 weeks, microwavable popcorn can last between six to eight months unopened when stored properly. Also, unpopped kernels can last up to a year if stored well.


The Spanish-American War

Lasting almost four months, the conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898, following the sinking of the USS Maine, is one of the country’s shortest-lived wars in history. It was still longer than Santos’ imprisonment.

Despite the brevity of the conflict, it resulted in the US acquiring sovereignty over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, as well as a protectorate over Cuba.


Cher’s “Believe” UK chart run

Cher during the rock and roll hall of fame induction.
Cher our beloved. (Getty)

Try as he might to become an LGBTQ+ icon, it turns out a disgraced Republican convicted of wire fraud will never compare to popstar icon Cher.

Cher’s hit song Believe spent 12 weeks in the UK top 10 and a whopping 31 weeks in the charts overall. Santos spent just 12 weeks in prison, in contrast.


Trump’s deployment of the National Guard

Members of the U.S. National Guard patrol at Columbus Circle. The deployment follows President Donald Trump’s announcement to place the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under federal control(Photo by Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in prominent US states has caused concern and fear for a combination of reasons.

The president first attempted to deploy over 4,000 troops to Los Angeles amid protests against immigration raids by ICE agents in the US. Since then, he has deployed troops in Washington DC, Memphis, and Chicago. His campaign began a month before Santos’ imprisonment, and shows no signs of stopping.

It’s a grim reminder that, despite the ludicrousness of many of the Trump administration’s actions, they have real-world consequences.

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