On October 19, former Rep. George Santos made history again, becoming the first former congressperson to be used by Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to troll Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey via the popular video messaging platform, Cameo.
Fetterman, an outspoken critic of Menendez, utilized Santos’ services to send a message to his “ethically-challenged colleague” about staying strong despite his ongoing legal troubles. In the video, Santos addresses “Bobby from Jersey” and advises him to “stand your ground” and not be “bogged down by all the haters out there.”
But this humorous prank comes with a hefty price tag, costing Fetterman a total of $343.20 after taxes, fees, and an extra charge for expedited delivery within 24 hours.
Santos, who was recently expelled from Congress, seemed to thoroughly enjoy being part of the prank, stating on social media, “I love this! I wish I knew the Bobby in question!”
This lighthearted jab at the embattled senator comes at a time when Menendez is facing serious legal allegations. The federal prosecutors have accused him of receiving substantial bribes, including over $480,000 in cash, in exchange for using his political influence to aid the Egyptian government.
Menendez has vehemently denied these allegations, but Fetterman has been a vocal advocate for his resignation since the indictment. As the first Democratic senator to call for Menendez’s resignation, he has been a strong advocate for ethical standards in politics.
This prank not only showcases Fetterman’s bold and unconventional approach to addressing political issues, but it also highlights the power of social media and digital platforms in modern politics. Cameo, a popular platform that allows users to book personalized video messages from various celebrities and public figures, has now become a new playground for politicians.
In addition, it also sheds light on the ongoing tensions between Fetterman and Menendez, who have been at odds since the indictment. Fetterman’s use of Santos, who shares a similar political ideology to Menendez, adds an interesting twist to this ongoing feud.
As the video quickly gained attention on social media, many users praised Fetterman for his sense of humor and creative approach to addressing political issues. However, some also criticized him for spending a significant amount of money on a joke, especially during a time of economic hardship.
In response to these criticisms, a Fetterman spokesperson emphasized that the Cameo was a small price to pay for the message it conveyed.
Overall, this unexpected prank adds an element of humor to the usually serious world of politics, while also highlighting the power of digital media in politics. Only time will tell if it will have any impact on Menendez’s legal situation, but for now, it has definitely made a mark in political history.