Trump rallies in Georgia for Mike Collins as CNN reports Collins joked about pushing Pelosi from a plane
It was Trump's second Georgia rally in eight days. A mid October poll had Sen. Jon Ossoff ahead of Collins 52% to 45%, while the governor's race is within two points.
Trump held a rally Saturday night at Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia, a stop first planned for Macon, 41NBC reported. He came to back Rep. Mike Collins, the Republican challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee for governor, in his second Georgia rally in eight days after one in Dalton on Oct. 16, Newsweek reported. In a Truth Social post, Trump called his opponents "Radical Left Lowlifes and Lunatics" and wrote, "I Won Georgia in a Record Vote," according to Newsweek. Jackson, who had planned to skip the rally to campaign with Gov. Brian Kemp, decided to attend both events, Fox News reported, citing the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
CNN's KFile reported on Oct. 23 that in a July 2021 radio interview, after a guest joked about getting a ride from then Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Collins said "Might push her out," then said "I was joking" when the host objected. CNN also reported that in August 2021 Collins commented on an image purportedly showing the Taliban hanging someone from a helicopter, writing that anyone who said that should happen to some U.S. military and political leaders would "probably get banned," adding, "So good thing no one says that." CNN reported that Collins repeatedly praised Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers after she spoke at a 2022 white nationalist conference, and that his campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
At their debate the week before, Ossoff accused Collins of calling for immigrants to be thrown from helicopters, citing a 2024 post, and Collins said he condemns hate speech and antisemitism, CNN reported. Collins told a radio show that polls "don't really tell the true story" and that the race "is winnable," Newsweek reported. A Quantus Insights poll taken Oct. 15 to 17 had Ossoff ahead 52% to 45%, and surveys by InsiderAdvantage and Quantus Insights had Jackson within two points of former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the open governor's race, according to Newsweek.
What is established
- Perry was Trump's second Georgia rally in eight days, Newsweek reported.
- A Quantus Insights poll taken Oct. 15 to 17 had Ossoff leading Collins 52% to 45%.
- The governor's seat is open because Gov. Brian Kemp is term limited.
- CNN's KFile report covered remarks and posts from 2021 through 2025.
What each side says
Collins is a hardworking congressman, Jackson is a strong candidate for governor, and "I Won Georgia in a Record Vote."
The race is winnable and polls "don't really tell the true story"; he condemns hate speech and antisemitism.
Collins called for immigrants to be thrown from helicopters, citing a 2024 post.
How it was covered
Left 1 report
CNN led with Collins's past remarks about political violence and his praise for a lawmaker who spoke at a white nationalist conference.
Center 2 reports
Newsweek led with Trump's return to Georgia and polls showing Ossoff ahead and the governor's race close.
Right 1 report
Fox covered the rally as part of Trump's weekend swing, including his arrival with Jason Aldean and Jackson's decision to attend.