CNN has highlighted controversial past comments made by Republican Georgia Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins, including remarks that could be interpreted as jokes about violence. These comments, detailed by CNN political reporter Andrew Kaczynski, resurfaced as Collins campaigns for the Senate.

Among the statements brought to light is a comment made on a Christian radio program regarding former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. When the host joked about Pelosi catching a flight with a guest, Collins responded, “Might push her out.” While he indicated at the time that the remark was a joke, it aligns with a pattern of downplaying serious matters, according to CNN.

In August 2021, amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Collins shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing what appeared to be Taliban terrorists hanging a man from a helicopter. He wrote, “If someone said this is what should happen to some of our military/political leaders for everything that’s happened lately in AFG they’d probably get banned.” He added, “So good thing no one says that.” The withdrawal resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. military service members and drew widespread criticism from Republicans.

Collins also reshared a social media post in February 2024 that suggested an undocumented migrant should be given "a ticket on Pinochet Air for a free helicopter ride," a reference to the violent methods employed by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Furthermore, Collins marked the fourth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot on social media by referring to the participants as "thousands of peaceful grandmothers" and praising then-President Donald Trump for announcing pardons for "nonviolent defendants."

During a recent debate with his Democratic opponent, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Collins addressed allegations regarding his son-in-law's past use of antisemitic rhetoric and Nazi imagery online. Collins stated, “I condemn any sort of hate speech, antisemitism, hate of any kind. It’s abhorrent. And I’ve fired people, when things happen — fired them.” He then criticized Ossoff for supporting Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for Michigan Senate who had been accused of criticism toward Israel.

Collins, who has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, is seeking to unseat Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.