Santos was expelled from Congress in December after he was found guilty of using campaign finances for personal use.
He returned to the House tonight for President Biden’s third SOTU address and dropped a bombshell announcement on social media during Biden’s speech.
“Tonight, I came to the SOTU with an open mind and heart because I believe in the great idea that is the United States of America,” Santos wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, as he announced his return to politics against New York Representative Nick LaLota.
“I just witnessed a weak, frail president deliver spin and lies to the American people from inside the chambers.
“Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1. I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican. The fight for our majority is imperative for the survival of the country.”
The 2024 State of the Union address is airing now on all major networks. The White House is streaming the speech online here. C-Span’s livestream is here.
Read our State of the Union blog for the latest updates…
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Biden recognizes Laken Riley
President Joe Biden held up Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s button and recognized Laken Riley while speaking about the migrant crisis.
This is exactly what Greene wanted – but she’s seen shouting angrily and pointing a finger at Biden from her seat.
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George Santos announces his return to politics
George Santos has announced that he’s running for Congress again.
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Trump mugshot t-shirt in the audience
Texas Representative Troy Nehls is wearing a t-shirt with former president Donald Trump’s mugshot on it in the crowd.
Representative Troy Nehls is wearing a shirt with Trump’s face on itCredit: Reuters
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Truth Social is down
Former president Donald Trump promised a “play by play” of reactions on his social media platform Truth Social.
However, the app is facing an outage as over 3,000 users are having issues with the platform, per Downdetector.
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Dr Jill Biden leads women’s health initiative
President Biden has announced a new initiative for research on women’s health.
“Women are more than half of our population but research on women’s health has always been underfunded,” Biden said.
“That’s why we’re launching the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, led by Jill who is doing an incredible job as First Lady.
“Pass my plan for $12 Billion to transform women’s health research and benefit millions of lives across America.”
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MTG says Biden has ‘no excuse’
After Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was seen confronting President Biden, she shared a video of the interaction on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Joe Biden has no excuse,” she wrote.
“I handed him a pin to remember Laken Riley.
“He refused to SAY HER NAME!”
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Kamala Harris compared to ‘jack in the box’
Kamala has stood up to clap multiple times during President Biden’s speech and SOTU viewers are comparing her to a “jack in the box.”
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Representative walks out
As President Joe Biden speaks out about abortion rights, South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace walked out of the chamber, according to NBC News.
Speaking in support of abortion, Biden recognized guest Kate Cox.
The guest is a mother of two who was forced to leave her state to seek an abortion due to the collapse of Roe v. Wade.
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Biden shares support for IVF
President Biden recognized guest Latorya Beasley, who was forced to halt her IVF embryo transfer due to Alabama’s Supreme Court’s ruling.
Biden said that IVF should be guaranteed across America.
“Guarantee it nationwide,” he added.
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Biden speaks out about insurrection
President Biden said that his “predecessor” and “some of you here” are trying to “bury the truth” about the January 6 insurrection.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Biden said.
“Zero place.”
President Joe Biden spoke out against violenceCredit: AFP -
Harris gives standing ovation
President Biden spoke about Russia and Ukraine’s war at the beginning of the speech.
Vice President Kamala Harris gave Biden a standing ovation.
Biden criticized Trump for “bowing down to a Russian leader” – and lawmakers in the crowd booed in agreement.
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Biden’s address begins
Biden is now seated at the podium.
“Good evening,” Biden said.
“If I was smart, I’d go home now,” he joked.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene confronts Biden
As President Biden headed to the front of the room to begin his address, he was confronted by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene was seen attempting to hand Biden a button in connection to murder victim Laken Riley.
The representative appeared to tell Biden to “say her name” as she put on her red MAGA hat.
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‘Four more years’
The House is chanting “Four more years” as Biden makes his way to the podium.
President Joe Biden is making his way to the podiumCredit: AFP -
Biden enters
President Biden has entered the House chambers for tonight’s address.
“Joe, Joe, Joe!” someone shouted as he walked into the room.
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Trump is on defense
Former president Donald Trump is expecting President Biden to “blame” him for the migrant crisis in tonight’s address.
“There is nothing he can say tonight that can absolve him from letting 15 million people into our Country illegally,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He’ll probably blame me, but I had the Safest Border in the History of our Country, so that won’t go very far!”
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Biden is 15 minutes late
President Joe Biden is now 15 minutes late to the State of the Union address.
The President’s motorcade took a different route than usual from the White House to the Capitol in order to avoid Pro-Palestinian protesters along the way.
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Shock at George Santos’ appearance
State of the Union watchers can’t believe that the disgraced former representative is in attendance at tonight’s address.
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Trump slams Biden’s tardiness
President Biden seems to be a few minutes late to the speech due to Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocking intersections between the White House and the Capitol.
Former president Donald Trump slammed the President’s tardiness on Truth Social.
“The President is very substantially late. Not a good start, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt,” Trump wrote.
“I’m sure he had very important things to do, but he is just now getting into the car. They will have to drive very, very quickly, you just don’t want to be late to the State of the Union.
“They will need Mario Andretti to be at the wheel of the Limo,” he concluded, referencing a former F1 racer.
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Tune in!
President Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address starts now from the US Capitol.
You can tune in to The White House’s livestream of the speech here.
Don’t forget to follow along with our live blog for the latest updates.
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Vice President and House Speaker start event
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson are kicking off tonight’s joint session of Congress.
Kamala Harris and Mike Johnson open up the eventCredit: AP
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Biden is delayed
President Biden has reportedly left for the event later than planned due to protests outside of the Capitol.
Biden’s motorcade has started its journey from the White House to the Capitol.
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Why the women are wearing white
Democratic women lawmakers are keeping with the tradition of wearing white to the State of the Union address.
The fashion decision honors the white outfits that suffragists wore during the women’s suffrage movement.
Democratic Representatives dress in white to call attention to womenâs rightsCredit: AFP 
Wearing white to the SOTU address honors the women’s suffrage movementCredit: AP -
Why the women are wearing white
Democratic women lawmakers are keeping with the tradition of wearing white to the State of the Union address.
The fashion decision honors the white outfits that suffragists wore during the women’s suffrage movement.
Democratic Representatives dress in white to call attention to women’s rightsCredit: AFP Wearing white to the SOTU address honors the women’s suffrage movementCredit: AP -
Joe is on the move
President Biden is on his way to the House chamber, where he’ll give his third State of the Union address.
He told reporters that he’s feeling good tonight.