Former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos released after serving 12-day prison sentence


After a long and grueling prison sentence, many ex-convicts just want to eat good food and spend time with their families. Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos just wants to get back out on the conservative speaking circuit.
Perhaps that's because his sentence was neither long nor grueling. Papadopoulos was released Friday from a federal prison in Wisconsin after serving 12 days, which he was sentenced to after lying about contact with Russians during the 2016 election. His first move? He's headed straight to Washington, D.C. to speak at the the conservative American Priority Conference, reports CNN.
This conference, which declares on its website that it welcomes "all Americans who want to 'make America great again,'' proudly lists Papadopoulos as one of its scheduled speakers. The conference is currently underway, and some of its other speakers include Roger Stone, the informal Trump campaign adviser whose ties to Wikileaks are being examined by Special Counsel Robert Mueller; Laura Loomer, the conspiracy theorist who recently handcuffed herself to Twitter's headquarters after being banned for anti-Muslim tweets; and alt-right commentator Jack Posobiec, who helped spread the debunked "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton and her advisers ran an underground child sex ring out of a completely normal pizzeria. Stone already spoke at the conference and said he intends to plead the fifth amendment in the Mueller probe, while Loomer, per The Daily Beast's Will Sommer, spoke to a "nearly empty room."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Papadopoulos' biography on the American Policy Conference fails to mention his recent prison stint or the fact that he will be under a 12-month supervised release when he attends the conference.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Protein obsession is oversaturating the health food space
Under the Radar Some experts say that fiber is now the most important macro to focus on
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
RFK Jr.'s focus on autism draws the ire of researchers
In the Spotlight Many of Kennedy's assertions have been condemned by experts and advocates
By Theara Coleman, The Week US
-
Codeword: April 23, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US