George Santos Trolls James Comer Over 'Clownish' Hunter Biden Hearings

Former New York Congressman George Santos had harsh words for a former colleague, Representative James Comer, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday.

Santos, a Republican expelled from Congress in December after an investigation by the House Ethics Committee found he used campaign funds for himself, took Comer to task over what he called "clownish BS" in his committee's attempt to impeach President Joe Biden.

In an emailed response to Newsweek on Saturday, Santos doubled down on his criticism of Comer.

"Rep. James Comer has showed us he is incompetent and ill-equipped to run the Oversight Committee's important work," Santos said. "He's had over a year to expose the corruption evidence on the President of the United States and his family and has failed miserably."

Comer, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, oversaw Wednesday's hearing that went off the rails after Hunter Biden arrived in person to testify. The House wants to bring a contempt of Congress resolution against the president's son over his refusal to attend a closed-door meeting with the committee.

On Saturday, Santos re-posted a video of Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida responding after Comer called him "the new George Santos" in a recent interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.

"In James Comer's own words, a 'Smurf' is running circles around him! Comer is such a failure that a freshman congressman is trolling him! Comer where are the goods? You promised we'd have a slam dunk last year, where is it? Ridiculous petulant clownish BS isn't going to help you get Biden impeached, FACTS are your only way. The American people can find it faster than you can," Santos wrote.

Newsweek reached out to Comer via email for additional comments.

"Smurf" is in apparent reference to a heated exchange between Moskowitz and Comer during a November hearing, when Comer commented on Moskowitz's blue suit and tie.

Moskowitz is also in the spotlight after Wednesday's hearing. The Florida Democrat had several intense exchanges with South Carolina's Republican Representative Nancy Mace, who Santos praised in his Saturday post.

"Give the committee to Scott Perry or Nancy Mace and they'll get (expletive) done in a heart beat!" continued Santos, who denies any criminal wrongdoing following his expulsion from the House.

"From outside of Congress, it's much easier to see the tone-deaf nonsense of James Comer. And it's infuriating to see so many resources squandered by his lack of leadership in the committee," Santos added in his email to Newsweek.

House Republicans claim that Biden received financial benefits from his son's overseas business dealings, although they have yet to bring forth evidence that proves the allegations.

The Bidens have denied any wrongdoing, and Democrats believe the proceedings in Congress are politically motivated. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican front-runner, is facing 91 felony charges and multiple civil suits. Trump denies any wrongdoing and describes the indictments as political "persecution."

In addition to the possible contempt finding from Congress, Hunter Biden faces criminal charges of tax evasion and the illegal possession of guns. Biden pleaded not guilty to all charges in his federal tax case on Thursday. A tentative trial date is set for June 20.

On Friday, Hunter Biden offered to comply with a "proper subpoena" from House Republicans after claiming that the subpoenas he initially refused are "legally invalid."

Update 01/13/24, 1:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comments from Santos.