Former Rep. George Santos posted a theatrical farewell on social media Thursday night, just hours before he was to begin serving a federal prison sentence for fraud and identity theft.

"Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed," Santos wrote on X.

"From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days. To my supporters: You made this wild political cabaret worth it. To my critics: Thanks for the free press."

The former New York congressman is expected to report to federal custody Friday to begin serving an 87-month sentence, just over seven years, after pleading guilty in 2024 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Santos was assessed the maximum sentence in April by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert. He was also ordered to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $205,000 in fraud proceeds.

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His guilty plea followed a sweeping investigation into campaign finance fraud, donor identity theft and false COVID-era unemployment claims.

"This prosecution speaks to the truth that my office is committed to aggressively rooting out public corruption," said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham, who called the sentence "judgment day" for Santos and justice for his victims. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said Santos "traded in his integrity for designer clothes and a luxury lifestyle."

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Prosecutors shared how Santos and his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, doctored donor reports to qualify for national Republican party funding. They fabricated contributions from Santos' family and falsely reported a $500,000 loan from Santos, though he had under $8,000 in his accounts.

He also stole credit card information from donors, including "victims he knew were elderly persons suffering from cognitive impairment or decline" and made unauthorized charges to fund both campaign and personal expenses, according to the DOJ. Santos also used a fake political fundraising company to solicit tens of thousands of dollars which he spent on "designer clothing."

During the pandemic, Santos fraudulently claimed over $24,000 in unemployment benefits while employed at an investment firm. He also submitted false congressional financial disclosures to the House.

Santos was elected in 2022 after flipping New York’s 3rd District for the GOP. His résumé was easily debunked. He falsely claimed academic degrees, Wall Street jobs and family ties to the Holocaust and 9/11. 

He was expelled from Congress in December 2023 after a scathing ethics report, becoming just the sixth member ever removed from the People's House.

Santos has remained publicly active after his sentencing, selling video messages on Cameo and making social media posts. 

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His tweet concluded, "I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit."

Unless pardoned, Santos is expected to remain incarcerated until at least early 2032. He has reportedly appealed to President Donald Trump for clemency. 

The White House and Santos did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

James Cook may be present at Buffalo Bills training camp this week, but he won’t be backing down when it comes to contract negotiations with the franchise. 

Cook, the NFL's leader in rushing touchdowns last season, made his stance clear after participating in the first two days of camp. 

"We have talks," he said, via ESPN. "I mean, I deserve what I want, I need, and it’s going to eventually happen."

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Reporters followed up, asking Cook if he feels confident the Bills will meet his contract extension demands. 

"I mean, however it happens, it’s going to get done. Wherever it happens at," he said. 

The 25-year-old doesn’t lack confidence, and that was seen this offseason when he went live on Instagram with a caption of "15 mill [per] year."

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If that is the case, Cook would be tied with Baltimore Ravens veteran Derrick Henry for the third-highest average annual value at the running back position in the NFL. 

Cook has posted previously on social media about his contract situation, and he noted Thursday he has no regrets about going public with how he feels. 

Bills GM Brandon Beane discussed Cook’s situation with reporters at the start of training camp. 

"Sometimes you can't get on the same page, or sometimes you're trying to fit it in," Beane explained, per ESPN. "There's times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn't make it work. But I can tell you, I'm hopeful, when we're sitting here at next year's training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue."

Cook has one more year left on his rookie deal with the Bills, which took him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia. If Cook and the Bills can’t reach an extension by next season, he would be a free agent unless the team decides to slap its franchise tag on him. 

Unlike other players, past and present, Cook was participating in the Bills’ mandatory offseason practices while his contract negotiations were ongoing. 

"It’s my job," he said about reporting. "I got to participate so I won’t get fined and just come out here and just show them that I’m ready to go and earn what I got to go get."

Cook called the Bills a "great organization" and one he wants to continue playing for. But he’s made it clear where he stands, and it doesn’t seem like he’s willing to leave any money on the table. 

To go along with his 16 rushing touchdowns last season, Cook rushed for 1,009, his second straight year cracking the 1,000-yard mark after totaling 1,122 in a breakout 2023 campaign. 

While it’s clear Cook is the lead running back on the depth chart, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson do spell him for snaps and have showcased abilities to help the Bills’ dynamic offense get down the field and into the end zone. 

Cook played just 48% of offensive snaps over his 16 Bills games last season. 

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