George Santos fires back at Special Forces backlash
The expelled congressman defended himself, Brandi Glanville and Candace Cameron Bure after Fox unveiled the season 5 cast.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
George Santos is walking into Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test with a social media firefight already underway.
The expelled U.S. congressman and former politician responded on X after Fox’s casting announcement for season 5 drew criticism aimed at him and fellow cast members Brandi Glanville and Candace Cameron Bure.
In a post on X, Santos said commenters had been attacking his weight, Glanville’s skin and Bure, while also leaving other harsh remarks in the comments. He told critics they “could not walk a day” in the cast’s shoes and said the people taking part in the show are still human beings.
Santos wrote that he can take jokes, but described some of the comments as vicious and unnecessary. He told critics to “go step on grass” and said viewers would be able to watch the cast take on the show’s challenge.
He also addressed comments about his body directly in follow-up posts. In one, Santos wrote, “OMG internet yes I’m fat. lol.” In another, he said viewers would see him move in a way he claimed a skinny person could not.
Before pushing back at the criticism, Santos had used X to tell followers he would appear on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. He said the experience changed how he looks at life and called it the most humbling thing he had done.
He also posted his cast portrait and said he had got off the couch to try something new. In that post, he said the experience changed “everything” and that he was looking forward to sharing it with followers.
The Fox competition series puts celebrity recruits through military-style training tests. Season 5’s lineup brings together reality TV personalities, athletes, actors and online entertainers.
Along with Santos, Glanville and Bure, the announced cast includes NBA champion and podcaster Matt Barnes, world champion boxer Alycia Baumgardner, actor David Charvet, former TV personality Collin Gosselin, actor Oliver Hudson, NFL Super Bowl champion LaSean McCoy, Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov, actor Ruby Rose and comedian Hannah Stocking.
The cast also includes Breana Tiesi of Selling Sunset, Alexia Umansky, who is the daughter of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards and appears on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills, and Mauricio Umansky, Richards’ estranged husband and a Buying Beverly Hills star.
Santos’ response centered on the online reaction to the casting news, especially criticism directed at his appearance and at Glanville and Bure. Neither Glanville nor Bure is quoted in the posts described as responding to the backlash.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.