George Santos, the former New York congressman who was recently expelled from Congress and is facing 23 federal charges, has been making waves in the media. Not one to shy away from the spotlight, Santos has been cashing in on his fame by recording paid messages on Cameo. Recently, he sat down for an interview with Ziwe, a comedian known for her blunt and cheeky interview style.

In the nearly 18-minute interview shared on YouTube on Monday, Ziwe didn't hold back. She asked Santos, "What can we do to get you to go away?" to which he responded, "Stop inviting me to your gigs." Ziwe fired back, "The lesson is to stop inviting you places," but Santos retorted, "But you can't, because people want the content."

It's worth noting that the day after Santos was expelled, Ziwe reached out to him to propose a "pay-per-view interview." She told him he'd be an "iconic guest," and Santos agreed. Despite asking three times, Santos was not paid for the interview, as stated in the video.

Before the interview, Santos was overheard asking Ziwe if their microphones were “hot” and to "be mindful with the DOJ stuff." This suggests that Santos is negotiating a possible plea deal with prosecutors, as he faces a range of charges including defrauding campaign donors, lying about his wealth to Congress, receiving unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign funds for personal expenses.

A House Ethics Committee report alleges that Santos spent thousands of campaign donations at luxury designer stores such as Hermes and Ferragamo, as well as on cosmetic procedures like Botox. Santos admitted to wearing Ferragamo shoes during the interview and claimed that he received an Hermes bracelet as a gift from his husband. He also revealed that he has been getting Botox treatments and fillers since the age of 25, paying for them with his own money.

Ziwe also questioned Santos about his knowledge of civil rights icons. Santos, who previously compared himself to Rosa Parks, struggled to identify other figures. When asked about Marsha P. Johnson, a prominent gay rights activist and drag queen, Santos described her as a "very respectful, honorable person." However, his vague response suggested that he may not have known who Johnson was. Santos also admitted to not knowing who James Baldwin, a gay Black writer and civil rights activist, or Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, were.

Ziwe's interview with Santos has generated significant interest, with a teaser trailer released on Sunday. The video shows Santos complimenting Ziwe's appearance upon meeting her and captures a moment where he pleads with her to be mindful with the Department of Justice (DOJ) matters. The trailer also includes Ziwe asking Santos, "Are rich people stupid?" and "What could we do to get you to go away?"

Santos, who is facing up to 22 years in federal prison if convicted, has denied any criminal wrongdoing. Prosecutors have stated that they are currently engaged in plea negotiations to potentially resolve the case without going to trial. In the meantime, Santos has become a meme sensation and has joined the popular Cameo app, charging $500 for personalized videos.

Despite her canceled late-night talk show, Ziwe managed to secure the interview with Santos after tweeting at him. The interview is scheduled to air on Ziwe's YouTube channel at 11 a.m. EST on Monday. Photos of Ziwe and Santos on set together have been posted on social media, heightening anticipation for the interview.