rights
Disgraced drag congressman George Santos will compete in physically intense military reality TV show
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Disgraced gay former drag queen and Rep. George Santos (R-NY) will appear in the fifth season of Fox's jungle survival reality TV competition Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test alongside 14 other contestants, including gender-fluid and lesbian actress Ruby Rose and former Full House actress Canda
Key takeaway The series will premier on September 24.
Why this matters
George Santos' participation in the reality TV show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test raises questions about the intersection of LGBTQ+ representation and personal credibility. As a disgraced former congressman who actively worked to roll back LGBTQ+ civil rights during his time in office, Santos' appearance on the show may be seen as an attempt to rebrand himself. His history of making anti-LGBTQ+ statements and cosponsoring bills that target the community is at odds with the inclusive values that many LGBTQ+ individuals and allies expect from public figures. The show's diverse cast, including gender-fluid and lesbian actress Ruby Rose, may provide a platform for Santos to reach a new audience, but it is unlikely to erase the harm caused by his past actions. As the show premieres, viewers will be watching to see how Santos navigates the physical and mental challenges, and whether his participation will spark a wider conversation about accountability and representation in the LGBTQ+ community.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Disgraced gay former drag queen and Rep. George Santos (R-NY) will appear in the fifth season of Fox's jungle survival reality TV competition Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test alongside 14 other contestants, including gender-fluid and lesbian actress Ruby Rose and former Full House actress Canda
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .