Podcast Summary

Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Kennedy Classic: George Santos—A Cultural Icon & Controversial Figure

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Kennedy (FOX News Podcasts)
Guest: George Santos, former Congressman from New York

Overview

This episode offers an unfiltered, humorous, and at times poignant look into the life of George Santos—a figure both lauded and lambasted for his controversial tenure in Congress and the scandals that followed. Through rapid-fire banter, personal confessions, and cultural commentary, Kennedy and Santos discuss politics, pop culture, cancel culture, and Santos's search for redemption. The conversation is equal parts light-hearted and introspective, filled with wit, candor, and a touch of cheeky self-deprecation.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life After Congress

• Transition Out of Politics:

  • Santos acknowledges being “sandwiched” between Tom Suozzi as both predecessor and successor ([00:28]).
  • Reflects on the public spectacle of his downfall and its aftermath.

• Regrets & Personal Growth:

  • The main regret Santos expresses is not being more involved in his late mother’s healthcare ([02:12]):

    “If I can go back in one point in my life, it would be to be more persistent with my mom’s health… She went 10 years without a pap smear. It’s irresponsible, ladies.”
    —George Santos [02:13]

  • He credits his mother for keeping him grounded and acknowledges his “fibber” reputation came later in life ([03:06]).

2. On Reputation & Truth

• Pre-scandal Personality:

  • Santos claims blunt honesty was his hallmark before politics:

    “My reputation prior to being called Jorge Santos the liar was... harsh, blunt. I’m actually not kind...I’m abundantly, transparently blunt.”
    —George Santos [03:37]

  • Draws inspiration from Joan Rivers on being forthright ([03:58]).

• Reflection on Lying:

  • Admits losing himself in politics but says the experience led to maturity:

    “The issue is I got carried away really bad in politics, and it is the most embarrassing part of my life…”
    —George Santos [03:57]

3. Pop Culture Hot Takes

• Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce:

  • Kennedy and Santos discuss the authenticity of the celebrity couple’s romance ([05:37]):

    “I think every aspect of them is real. It’s just annoying…”
    —George Santos [05:38]

  • Santos is a self-proclaimed Swiftie and introduced a "Swift Act" in Congress, inspired by Taylor Swift's advocacy for women's rights ([06:23]).

• Legislative Humor:

  • Santos relays stories about introducing the “Minaj Act” for Nicki Minaj and regrets not creating a “Save Britney Act” ([06:43] - [07:09]).

• Britney Spears’ Troubles:

  • Concern for Britney’s mental health and finances ([07:22]):

    “She’s not okay... she’s deeply troubled and it’s really sad. And I love her.”
    —Kennedy [07:36]

  • Discussion on celebrity downward spirals, shoe fetishes, and extravagance ([09:07]).

4. Financial Realities Post-Congress

• Spiraling Finances:

  • Santos confesses to going broke from legal fees:

    “I totally went broke and... still trying to claw out of that hole. When you’re spending hundreds of thousands in legal fees... everything came all together.”
    —George Santos [09:59]

  • Talks about his extensive shoe collection as a “labor of love” and sense of comfort ([09:13]).

• Current Income Streams:

  • Santos makes a living via Cameo, media appearances, and podcasting, having left both finance and politics ([10:53]).

5. Attempts at Normalcy & Redemption

• Public Perception & Apologies:

  • Santos discusses attempting to apologize to people he may have hurt and acknowledges viral moments ([13:05]).

    “I genuinely start off with saying I’m so sorry if I ever caused you any harm or if I gave you a headache.”
    —George Santos [13:10]

• OnlyFans Experience:

  • Briefly had an OnlyFans account, but left due to unseemly solicitations:

    “After two months of...let’s just say, solicitations, that just got to a point that I just could not bring myself to continuously do it. Yeah, I’m sort of a prude in a very odd way.”
    —George Santos [14:10]

6. Culture Wars & Identity

• Trans Athletes in Sports:

  • Santos, as a conservative gay man, opposes biological males in women’s sports ([15:09]):

    “Garbage.”
    —George Santos [15:15]

  • Reports on a local high school track case and broader implications in sports and college admissions ([15:21]).

• Challenges as a Conservative Gay Figure:

  • Discusses difficulties mingling in NYC’s gay community post-scandal—fearful of hostility ([16:37]).

7. Friendships & Political Alliances

• Remaining Ties in Congress:
  • Still speaks regularly with figures like Lauren Boebert, Corey Mills, and Anna Paulina Luna ([18:19]).
  • Praises Boebert and expresses fondness for Marjorie Taylor Greene:

    “Marjorie’s an acquired taste... I know it’s not for everybody. I like the spiciness.”
    —George Santos [19:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s my predecessor and my successor. It’s just kind of annoying. I feel sandwiched.”
  —George Santos, on losing his seat to Tom Suozzi [00:28]

• “I mirror my entire life off of Joan Rivers. Joan Rivers is still relevant to me today.”
  —George Santos [03:58]

• “The issue is I got carried away really bad in politics, and it is the most embarrassing part of my life yet also the part that has allowed me to mature...”
  —George Santos [03:57]

• “I love Taylor Swift. And as conservative as I am, I am a Swifty God.”
  —George Santos [06:01]

• “Foreclosure is nothing if you have Ferragamos.”
  —Kennedy [09:53]

• “I haven’t been to a gay bar since the story. I think they’ll torch me...We’re scared.”
  —George Santos, on community backlash [16:59]

• “Will I participate in government in some capacity? Sure...But putting my name on a ballot, I can’t bring myself to do it.”
  —George Santos [18:08]

• “Marjorie’s an acquired taste...I like the spiciness.”
  —George Santos [19:00]

• “Cheers to you. Thank you...To you, forgiveness, redemption, and tiki drinks.”
  —Kennedy & George Santos [20:29]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:10–02:12 | Opening banter, Congress career, regrets | | 03:06–03:57 | Reputation for blunt honesty | | 05:21–07:09 | Taylor Swift/Kelce, “Swift Act”, pop bills | | 07:22–09:13 | Britney Spears, celebrity troubles, shoes | | 09:59–10:53 | Legal bills, financial hardship, Cameo | | 13:05–14:10 | Public apologies, viral sweater, OnlyFans | | 15:09–16:37 | Trans athletes, conservatism, gay identity | | 18:08–20:29 | Running again, friends in Congress, closing |

Tone & Style

The conversation is breezy, irreverent, and confessional—marked by Kennedy’s quick wit and George Santos’s dry humor and candid self-awareness. Both speakers oscillate between joking about cultural phenomena and discussing real struggles, giving listeners a multi-faceted portrait of public redemption and private reckoning.

Takeaways

Listeners are given a rare, behind-the-scenes view of a notorious political figure navigating cancel culture, pop-culture obsessions, the pitfalls of fame, and attempts to rebuild. The episode delivers laughs, empathy, and insight into the resilience and reinvention—regardless of public opinion.

For those who want to hear straight from the source, notable soundbites and vulnerable admissions are worth revisiting, especially Santos’s reflections on honesty, loss, and the double-edged sword of notoriety.