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By Lauren Giella
Senior Reporter
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Former Congressman George Santos probably thought serving jail time for identity theft and wire fraud was going to be his toughest trial. But now, the former Republican representative from New York is gearing up for a new challenge—and no, he's not returning for another Ziwe sit-down (not yet at least).
Santos joined the fifth season of Fox's Special Forces: World's Toughest Test—a competition reality show that puts former reality stars, professional athletes and other B- and C-list celebrities through actual Special Forces training.
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After serving less than a year in office in 2023, Santos was expelled from Congress following a House Ethics Committee investigation and sentenced to 87 months in prison, of which he served only almost three, following a commutation from Donald Trump.
But starting September 24, viewers will watch him and the other "recruits" face grueling physical and mental challenges in the Malaysian jungle.
Sharing the screen with people like former NBA champion Matt Barnes, actress Candace Cameron Bure, father-daughter reality TV duo Alexia and Mauricio Umansky, reality star might actually be the role Santos was born to play.
The openly gay Republican denies rumors that he was a drag queen in his native Brazil, but it's clear he loves to perform. And since Trump's first term, the lines between politics and reality television have blurred to the point that tuning into Fox News feels like watching an episode of Ru Paul's Drag Race: Untucked!—just with fewer sequins and worse makeup.
These days, no one would trust Santos to manage a Ralph's Italian Ice, let alone a represent a portion of the American electorate. Voters might not take him seriously, but he may charm viewers enough to help pay off his campaign debts of upwards of $811,000.
Usually, disgraced politicians ease out of public life and fade into the world of consulting. But Santos has too much star power for that. He will literally roll around in the mud on network TV week after week to supplement his $300 Cameos (marked down to $100 at press time).
It's a humiliation ritual fitting for a washed-up diva with a natural on-air presence and nothing to lose. He's snarky, obnoxious, takes no responsibility and feeds off of a polarized audience. Come to think of it, are they still casting for the Real Housewives of New York reboot?
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