Former U.S. Representative George Santos is set to appear as a contestant on the fifth season of Fox's reality competition show "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test." The program subjects participants to rigorous physical and psychological challenges designed to simulate military training.
Filmed in a Malaysian jungle, the show will feature more than a dozen contestants, including former NBA player Matt Barnes and actor Ruby Rose. Fox describes the series as an "ultimate test of physical, mental and emotional resilience."
Santos, who represented New York in the House of Representatives after being elected as a Republican in 2022, served less than a year in office. His tenure ended after revelations that he had fabricated significant portions of his personal and professional background. He was expelled from Congress while facing federal charges related to campaign finance violations, defrauding donors, and misrepresenting his financial status.
Following his expulsion, Santos pleaded guilty, but his prison sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump after he served approximately 84 days. Santos later attempted to re-enter politics with another congressional run but quickly withdrew after failing to raise any funds.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Santos announced his participation, writing, "I took my fat behind off the coach and tried something new! And it changed EVERYTHING! I can’t wait to share this experience with y’all!" A promotional image accompanied the post, showing Santos standing sternly next to a tree.
Challenges on "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" have previously included simulated chemical gassing, navigating underground bunkers, and retrieving supplies while suspended at significant heights.
More recently, Santos has faced scrutiny over his involvement with online prediction marketplaces. Kalshi reportedly alerted federal authorities after Santos allegedly bet against his own attendance at President Trump's State of the Union address. This incident led another platform, Polymarket, to end its paid influencer relationship with him. Santos has denied the allegations, calling them "preposterous."