Former Republican Congressman George Santos has filed a lawsuit against late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel for allegedly pranking him on the celebrity shout-out platform Cameo. The incident in question involves Santos being asked to congratulate a legally blind individual named Julia on passing her driving test.
In the video message, Santos can be heard saying, 'Hey, Julia, congratulations on getting your driving test. You prove that even the legally blind can do it.' However, Santos claims that Kimmel misled him by tricking him into recording the message and then airing it on his show without his consent.
Santos argues that this action constitutes a violation of Cameo's terms of service, which prohibit the unauthorized use of videos created on the platform. The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged misuse of Santos' likeness and voice in the prank video.
While Santos has not specified the exact amount of damages he is seeking, the lawsuit underscores the potential legal implications of using celebrity shout-out services for comedic purposes without the explicit consent of the individuals involved.
It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and whether Santos' claims against Kimmel will be upheld in court. The case highlights the evolving landscape of online platforms and the challenges that arise when public figures are targeted for pranks or other forms of exploitation.
