Former New York Congressman George Santos is trading Capitol Hill for a far more physically demanding arena, leaping from helicopters, powering through muddy water and facing a series of punishing challenges on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
The reality series has given Santos a new kind of public platform. He is one of 15 celebrities competing in the show’s fifth season, where contestants endure intense, military-style trials designed to test both physical endurance and mental resilience in Malaysia.
Although the expelled Republican insists he is “so done with politics,” Santos still had plenty to say about the GOP’s electoral prospects when he spoke with Our News Outlet.
With the midterm elections only a month away, Santos claimed that two Republican candidates had already approached him about finding entertainment work, apparently fearing they would not make it through the November vote.
“I won’t say the candidate, obviously, but there are two candidates who essentially said, ‘George, if you can hook me up with some of your entertainment people, because there’s no way I can survive this election,’” said Santos, 38.
“And I’m nervous because one of the candidates, I like that person a lot.”
Santos also argued that Republicans could face a tougher-than-expected fight in traditionally conservative states including Texas, Florida and Ohio, where Democratic candidates are becoming increasingly competitive.
Santos claimed that two Republican candidates had asked for his help entering showbusiness
Santos said Republicans could face serious challenges in traditionally red states such as Texas, Florida and Ohio, where Democrats are gaining ground
However, Santos did not direct his criticism at President Donald Trump or Vice President JD Vance. Instead, he placed much of the blame on House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“There’s things Congress can do right now to help on energy costs. And Speaker Johnson doesn’t seem too keen on pushing it,” Santos said.
“Recessing earlier doesn’t help with the narrative and with the optics of it all.”
Santos also suggested that the GOP could be looking at a change in leadership if Republicans lose control of the House in November.
“It looks like [Representative] Jim Jordan is trying to make a move there,” Santos said. “It looks like there’s real issues for Speaker Johnson, even if he does retain the House, to remain with the gavel.”
Santos said he would prefer to see the “entire leadership” replaced. Among his potential choices for speaker were Florida Representatives Laurel Lee and Anna Paulina Luna, whom he said has backing from the Freedom Caucus and could become the first Republican woman to hold the position.
He was equally blunt in his assessment of other House Republicans, describing National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson as “incompetent.”
Santos also argued that Majority Leader Steve Scalise has spent too long in party leadership. “Go be senator. I don’t care,” he said. Scalise has held a leadership role among House Republicans for more than 12 years and became majority leader in January 2023 after serving three years as minority whip.
Representatives for Hudson, Scalise and Johnson did not respond to requests for comment from Our News Outlet.
“It looks like there’s real issues for Speaker Johnson (pictured), even if he does retain the House, to remain with the gavel,” Santos said
“It looks like [Representative] Jim Jordan (pictured) is trying to make a move there,” Santos said
Santos also admitted he is ‘terrified’ of a Democratic Socialist surge.
‘I think this whole socialist sweep across New York was scary,’ he said. ‘I’m not saying it to be boogie. I don’t do the fear mongering anymore.’
Namely, he said the election of Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani in New York City was the reason he moved out of his home state.
‘Mamdani’s not for me,’ Santos said.
‘Mamdani shouldn’t be for really anyone; he’s silly. And I’m actually disappointed that the president gives him so much air. If I didn’t see it, I would have told you, stop lying, you’re making this up.’
Indeed, Mamdani and Trump have developed an at times chummy relationship over the last year – despite the mayor’s ruthless attacks of the president during his campaign. Trump, too, has been vocal about his criticism of Mamdani online, previously writing on Truth Social that the mayor was ‘destroying’ the city.
The unlikely pair have met multiple times, including most recently in New York City at Gracie Mansion, where the president said he hoped Mamdani would be a ‘great’ mayor. Mamdani, in turn, also spoke fondly of the commander-in-chief, emphasizing his appreciation for being able to work together.
Santos also shared his distaste for the chummy relationship Trump and Mamdani have now forged
Santos is on the newest season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
Santos is also embroiled in a fresh scandal of his own.
Three years ago, he was expelled from the House after a damning House Ethics report concluded he spent campaign funds on personal expenses like Botox, OnlyFans and Hermes.
In 2025, he was sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, only serving just 84 days before Trump commuted his sentence that October.
But this August, the prediction market platform Kalshi permanently banned him and imposed a $71,356 penalty over trading related to whether he would attend the 2026 State of the Union.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) separately reached a settlement with Santos over the same episode, ordering him to pay $35,000 and imposed a three-year trading ban.
The CFTC alleged that Santos’s public statements about attending the State of the Union moved the contract’s price while he held positions tied to the outcome.
Santos called the Kalshi ban a ‘badge of honor’ and accuses the company of using him for free publicity.
He insisted he planned to attend until a canceled flight, disrupted Amtrak service and heavy snow kept him from DC.
He says self-betting was allowed under the rules at the time, which changed in March 2026.
Santos did not appeal the CFTC settlement. He agreed to the CFTC’s order and paid the $35,000, but he’s preparing to face Kalshi in civil court.
