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Republican Representative George Santos is facing a new wave of criticism after a video surfaced on Twitter showing the embattled congressman referring to himself as "Anthony Devolder."
In the clip posted by PatriotTakes, an anonymous Twitter account dedicated to "exposing right-wing extremism and other threats to democracy," Santos is seen asking a question to a panel at a #WalkAway Foundation event in 2019.
"My name is Anthony Devolder, I'm a New York City resident," Santos says in the video. "I recently started a group called United for Trump, so if you guys want to follow, that would be awesome."
As of Friday evening, the clip had been viewed over 2.8 million times.
In 2019, George Santos introduced himself as Anthony Devolder, the founder of “United for Trump,” during a Q & A session at a “Walk Away LGBT” event in NYC.
— PatriotTakes ?? (@patriottakes) January 13, 2023
Santos said trans people could benefit from a trans conservative activist educating them. pic.twitter.com/b2RkA3YPnI
According to its website, the #WalkAway campaign is a grassroots movement for individuals who have "walked away" from the "Left" and can now share their story of leaving "identity politics behind." According to the video posted on Friday, the event Santos attended was specifically opened to the LGBTQ community.
Santos, a Republican who represents New York's 3rd Congressional District, has faced several calls to step down from his new post after admitting to lying about himself while running for Congress in the fall. Santos deceived the public regarding his educational background and job history, while also falsely claiming that he was Jewish.
According to a report from USA Today, which examined public records relating to questions Santos has faced about his finances, the congressman's full name is George Anthony Devolder Santos.
In light of Friday's viral clip, some House Democrats escalated their criticism against Santos, including Florida Representative Maxwell Frost, who reposted PatriotTakes' video.
"So which is the fake name, Anthony Devolder or George Santos???" Frost tweeted, after using an acronym for uproarious laughter.
Lmfaooooooooo
— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) January 13, 2023
So which is the fake name, Anthony Devolder or George Santos??? https://t.co/wG6oJ6lfC6
California Representative Ted Lieu also commented on Santos' confusing name history, reposting an exchange found by CNN in which Santos went by "George Devolder" on Twitter in 2020.
"Dear @SpeakerMcCarthy: GOP Representative 'George Santos' has also introduced himself as 'George Devolder' and 'Anthony Devolder,'" Lieu wrote.
"Why are you still supporting the Republican Congressman purportedly known as George Santos?" he added.
Dear @SpeakerMcCarthy: GOP Representative “George Santos” has also introduced himself as “George Devolder” and “Anthony Devolder”.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 14, 2023
Why are you still supporting the Republican Congressman purportedly known as George Santos? https://t.co/1528b5J9sX
Democrats are not the only ones critical of Santos' dubious history. The Nassau County Republican Party called upon the congressman to "immediately" step down from his position this week. Santos' district includes parts of Nassau.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has defended Santos staying in office, saying, "the voters elected him to serve."
"If there is a concern, and he has to go through Ethics, let him move through that," the Republican leader said this week, according to a report from The Hill.
Santos has said that he will not resign.
Newsweek has reached out to the office of Santos for comment.
About the writer
Kaitlin Lewis is a Newsweek reporter on the Night Team based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her focus is reporting on national ... Read more