George Santos said competing on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test challenged him more than his experience in prison.
The former politician joined Season 5 of the Fox competition nearly a year after his release. Santos said his time behind bars prepared him for some aspects of the military-style environment, but the show required much more from him.
George Santos says Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test demanded more from him than prison
“You know, prison was hard. This was harder,” Santos said. “This challenges you.”
Santos explained that prison and Special Forces tested him in different ways. He said the competition required him to remain engaged and repeatedly push himself throughout the experience.
As per US his previous incarceration also made the show’s barracks feel familiar.
“I remember going in, because the setup was so similar, I’m like, ‘No, not this again,’” Santos recalled.
He said Hannah Stocking slept near him and remembered explaining the similarities to his fellow contestants.
“I was in prison, this is how we slept,” he told them.
The source said Santos received a seven-year prison sentence in April 2025 following his conviction on fraud and identity theft charges. He served 84 days before President Donald Trump signed a commutation that resulted in his release.
When Santos later entered Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, he expected his reputation to affect how the other recruits treated him.
“I figured nobody’s gonna want to talk to me,” he said.
Santos recalled some initially distant interactions but said his relationships with the cast improved over time. He particularly praised Candace Cameron Bure, calling her his favorite person among the contestants.
“The conversations post-show were very positive,” Santos said. “My fellow cast members have been amazing and phenomenal to interact with and build relationships with.”
Santos also said he joined the show because he wanted viewers to look beyond the public coverage surrounding him.
“This was a ‘please look past the headlines and tabloids’ kind of thing,” he explained.
He said he gave the experience everything he could and would consider doing it again with better physical preparation.
Santos also suggested Marjorie Taylor Greene as a future contestant, arguing that her fitness background could help her handle the show’s demands.
