What To Know
- George Santos defended himself and his Special Forces co-stars against online criticism about their appearances.
- Santos addressed comments about his weight and how the show helped change him.
- Public reaction to Santos’ posts was mixed, with some supporting and others continuing to criticize him.
Disgraced Congressman George Santos fired back at the “haters” on Wednesday (July 15) after he and some of his Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test castmates faced criticism.
The former politician, who was expelled from Congress in 2023 and later pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud, is set to take part in the upcoming fifth season of the Fox reality competition series. He will be joined by the likes of Full House alum Candace Cameron Bure and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville.
After being subjected to insults, Santos took to X, writing, “To all the haters talking about me being fat, or @BrandiGlanville skin and wishing ill on @candacecbure amongst the other mean horrible things in the comment section… You could not walk a day in any of our shoes.”
He continued, “We are humans, we put ourselves out there and we have thick skin, now I can handle banter, but vicious vile mean comments are uncalled for… go step on grass and then watch us all thrive taking on an insane challenge and kicking ass!”
To all the haters talking about me being fat, or @BrandiGlanville skin and wishing ill on @candacecbure amongst the other mean horrible things in the comment section…
You could not walk a day in any of our shoes… we are humans, we put ourselves out there and we have thick… https://t.co/EpSe5QAA1j
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) July 15, 2026
Santos responded to comments about his weight in a separate post, writing, “Omg internet yes I’m fat. lol”
In a reply to one commenter, he added, “You gonna see this fat boy move like no skinny person could ever lol.”
Omg internet yes I’m fat. lol
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) July 15, 2026
Santos had previously shared his excitement about the show, telling his followers, “You guys I did a thing and I’m excited to share it with y’all! This experience changed my perspective in life and it was the most humbling thing I’ve ever done!”
In a follow-up post, he shared his official cast photo, stating, “I took my fat behind off the couch and tried something new! And it changed EVERYTHING! I can’t wait to share this experience with y’all!”
I took my fat behind off the couch and tried something new!
And it changed EVERYTHING! I can’t wait to share this experience with y’all!@SpecialForces pic.twitter.com/idxtM5U1Zx
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) July 15, 2026
Santos’ fightback received mixed responses, with some offering their support and others doubling down on the insults.
“I think it’s awesome, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go get em!” wrote one X user.
“I love this show and in my eyes the fact that any member of this cast leaves their comfortable life to take part in this grueling adventure means they have heart and are very brave to put themselves out there in such a public way,” said another.
“I’m so proud of you for doing it!!!” another added.
However, one commenter wrote, “No one says you have to put yourself out there and quite frankly no one wants you out there so go back into the hole that you crawled out of and stay there!”
“That’s a lot of words to say you are fat, George. Most of us could walk a lot more miles in your shoes than you,” another said.
“So it’s not fat it’s thick skin?” one person quipped.
Another added, “You are a crook sweetie.”
In addition to Santos, Bure, and Glanville, the Special Forces Season 5 cast includes NBA Champion and podcaster Matt Barnes, World Champion boxer Alycia Baumgardner, actors David Charvet, Ruby Rose, and Oliver Hudson, former reality star Collin Gosselin, NFL Superbowl champ LaSean McCoy, Olympic Figure Skater Maxim Naumov, comedian Hannah Stocking, Selling Sunset star Breana Tiesi, and Buying Beverly Hills stars Alexia and Mauricio Umansky.