Politics usually has this weird "us versus them" vibe where parties protect their own, no matter what. But George Santos broke that machine. When the dust settled on December 1, 2023, the tally was staggering. 105 Republicans—basically half the caucus—voted to kick him out of Congress. That doesn't happen. It hadn't happened to a Republican since the Civil War era.
Honestly, the sheer level of frustration among his own colleagues was palpable. You had guys like Anthony D’Esposito and Mike Lawler, fellow New York Republicans, leading the charge to get him out. It wasn't just about the lies; it was about the fact that he made the whole party look like a circus.
How Many Republicans Hate George Santos and Why the Numbers Matter
If you look at the raw data, the "hate" wasn't just some vague feeling. It was a recorded vote. In the final resolution to expel him, 105 Republicans joined 206 Democrats. But wait—112 Republicans actually voted against expelling him. Does that mean they liked him?
Not really.
Most of those 112, including leadership like Speaker Mike Johnson, were terrified of the "slippery slope." They worried that kicking someone out before a criminal conviction would set a precedent that could be used against anyone later. It was a procedural fear, not a "we love George" sentiment. Even the people who voted to keep him in often called him "despicable" or a "bad guy" behind closed doors (and sometimes right to his face).
The "Long Island Six" and the Local Rebellion
The people who hated him most were the ones who had to share a border with him. The New York GOP delegation was absolutely done with the guy within weeks of his swearing-in.
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- Anthony D’Esposito: He literally introduced the resolution to expel Santos.
- Nick LaLota: He was constantly on record calling Santos a "pathological liar."
- Bruce Blakeman: The Nassau County Executive (a Republican) refused to work with Santos' office, basically cutting him off from local governance.
They felt defrauded. They felt like he’d stolen a seat that a "real" Republican could have held without the constant baggage of whether or not he actually worked at Goldman Sachs (he didn't) or if his mom was in the South Tower on 9/11 (she wasn't).
The Ethics Report That Broke the Camel's Back
Before the House Ethics Committee released its "blistering" 56-page report, Santos had actually survived two previous expulsion attempts. Republicans were holding the line. But then the report dropped.
It wasn't just about the resume fluffing anymore. It was about the money.
The committee found "substantial evidence" that Santos used campaign funds for:
- OnlyFans subscriptions. (Yeah, you read that right.)
- Botox treatments.
- Luxury designer goods from Hermes.
- Personal Sephora trips.
When these details came out, the mood in the GOP cloakroom shifted from "he’s a nuisance" to "he’s a liability." It's one thing to lie about being a volleyball star at a college you didn't attend; it's another thing to spend donor money on vanity injections while your party is trying to maintain a razor-thin majority.
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What the Voters Thought
It wasn't just the politicians. In his own district (NY-03), a Siena College poll found that 78% of voters—including a massive chunk of Republicans—wanted him to resign. You can't lead when your own base thinks you're a joke.
I remember seeing interviews with voters in Whitestone and Levittown who were just... embarrassed. They felt like the "George Santos" they voted for didn't exist. He was a fictional character.
Why the Hatred Was So Intense
In Washington, everyone expects a little bit of "embellishment." But Santos took it to a level that felt like a personal insult to the institution. He didn't just lie to the voters; he lied to the people he worked with.
James Comer, the Oversight Committee Chair, called him a "bad guy." Kevin McCarthy, who initially needed Santos' vote to become Speaker, eventually had to distance himself as the scandals became a daily distraction.
It’s about the "distraction factor." Every time a Republican wanted to talk about the border or the budget, they got asked, "What about George Santos and the stolen puppy money?" It made the party look incompetent.
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The Aftermath: From Congress to the Courtroom
Since his expulsion, the relationship hasn't improved. Santos pleaded guilty in August 2024 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He’s admitted to the very things his colleagues accused him of.
Then came the weirdest twist of all. In late 2025, Donald Trump commuted his sentence. You'd think that would make Republicans like him again, right?
Nope.
Most of the GOP establishment just wants him to go away. He's tried to run again as an independent, but the support just isn't there. The "hatred" has mostly cooled into a deep, collective desire for everyone to forget he ever happened.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for the Future
If you're watching the political landscape, the George Santos saga teaches us a few things about how the GOP handles internal "villains":
- Vetting is now a nightmare: Expect future candidates to face way more scrutiny from their own parties. Nobody wants another Santos.
- The "Two-Thirds" Bar is real: Even with 105 Republicans hating him, it still took a mountain of evidence to reach the constitutional threshold for expulsion. It’s hard to fire a Congressman.
- Local GOP power matters: If the local party turns on you (like the Nassau County GOP did), your days in D.C. are numbered.
To stay updated on how the GOP is vetting new candidates to avoid a repeat of the NY-03 disaster, you should keep an eye on the FEC's new filing requirements for candidate disclosures. Checking the House Ethics Committee's public calendar is also a great way to see if any other members are currently under the "Santos-level" microscope.