George Santos claims ‘Special Forces’ competition was harder than prison

Former politician George Santos has stated that participating in the fifth season of the reality competition ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’ was more challenging than his time in prison. Santos, who was convicted of fraud and identity theft in April 2025 and sentenced to seven years, served 84 days before receiving a commutation from President Donald Trump.

Santos noted that while prison was difficult, the military-style competition required a higher level of constant engagement and self-discipline. He remarked that the barracks setup felt familiar due to his incarceration experience. Despite initial concerns that his public reputation would make him a social pariah among the celebrity contestants, Santos reported that his relationships with cast members, including Candace Cameron Bure, became positive following the show.