Santos Plunges for Fox's Special Forces After Prison Term

In a surprising twist, former New York congressman George Santos—convicted of federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and sentenced to more than seven years in prison—has been cast on Fox’s reality‑competition series *Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test* Season 5.

The episode aired Thursday night, featuring Santos as he tackles the show’s grueling challenges.

During the season’s opening challenge, Santos struggled to stay afloat in the water obstacle, prompting a sharp reaction from veteran director Jovon “Q” Quarles. Quarles, a 15‑year Navy SEAL and long‑time member of the show’s directing staff, compared Santos to *Vanderpump Rules* star Tom Sandoval after watching Santos’ repeated stumbles.

## Background & Context

*Special Forces* pits celebrities and athletes against grueling physical tests designed to mirror the demands faced by U.S. Special Operations personnel. The series debuted in 2022, and Quarles has been part of its directing team since Season 2.

He works alongside three other former military operatives to run the course that each new cohort of contestants must complete every season.

Santos, who was convicted of federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison. He served only three months before President Donald Trump commuted his sentence and released him. His post‑prison life has drawn significant media attention.

## Director Jovon “Q” Quarles on Santos

Quarles told us that Santos “reminds me of Tom Sandoval, where, ‘Nothing I’ve done was wrong. Nothing I did was wrong,’ and then [they] point the finger at the other person and say that what [that person] did was wrong.” He added that “they don’t hold themselves accountable.”

Quarles said he was aware of Santos’ criminal history, which included embezzling funds from campaign donors to pay for personal luxuries such as Botox and spa days, as well as making false claims about his education, employment history and heritage.

He expressed that he wanted Santos to understand the reality of what military personnel face: “There was no bit of me that was going to be light with him at all,” he said.

“I wanted to make sure he understood what we deal with, as men and women in the Special Forces, and what it’s like.” He also remarked that the experience was personal: “I took it personally, so I really wanted to challenge him and really give him a taste of what it’s like to understand that, ‘Hey, you now don’t have any control.’”

While the director did not make the challenge any easier for Santos, Quarles recalled a humorous moment from the Season 5 premiere: “Seeing Santos flop back in was like seeing a dead sea lion just kind of roll over and fall back [into] the water,” he laughed. “It was the funniest thing.”

## Impact and Upcoming Episodes

The episode aired Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, with the next installment available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

Quarles, who has expressed hope that more politicians might be tempted to try his hand at future seasons, suggested that politicians’ lack of accountability could be a lesson for viewers: “We’re supposed to trust you? And then you send us out here to go to war to die for stuff that you are lying about for the most part.”

As Season 5 continues, audiences will watch whether Santos can overcome the physical and psychological hurdles set by the show’s creators. The series’ blend of celebrity drama and military realism remains a focal point for fans, while Quarles’ comments highlight ongoing concerns about accountability among public officials.

The next episodes will reveal if the former congressman can rise—or fall—alongside his fellow contestants.