The endorsement of Donald Trump has not insulated Mike Collins, the Republican Senate nominee in Georgia, from controversy. Collins's close ties to his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, a prominent white nationalist social media influencer, have sparked renewed scrutiny over their associations and the implications for Collins's own reputation. As the UK watches the unfolding drama in the US, this raises questions about the character of those seeking high office and the potential impact on British-American relations.
Collins has served as the GOP representative for Georgia’s 10th congressional district since 2023 and secured the Republican nomination in June. Throughout his public career, he has drawn criticism for connections to far-right figures, inflammatory social media posts, and accusations of antisemitism, which he has denied. He has also questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 US election and advocated for pardons for those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
David Alan Scheer II boasts a significant online presence, with over 1.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram, where he discusses fitness, Christianity, and masculinity. His content has included the promotion of white nationalist ideology, sharing antisemitic conspiracy theories, and advocating for the deportation of Muslims. Notably, he shared an antisemitic infographic attributed to his wife and utilised imagery from Nazi propaganda posters.
Further investigations reveal Scheer's deep integration into Collins's political and personal life. According to reports, Scheer is registered to vote at a property owned by Collins in Georgia, has been featured in Collins’s campaign photographs, and was present at Collins’s victory celebration following his win in the Republican primary. These connections highlight the close relationship between the candidate and an individual who has repeatedly propagated extreme views.
In a podcast last November, Scheer expressed concerns about white people being driven towards extinction, stating that restoring an America populated by white European descendants would necessitate 'clearing our land of other people.' He also blamed 'Israel and Zionist Jews' for policies he asserted were designed to 'undermine the white, Christian nature of America.' More recently, he posted a poll asking followers whether he should create a video on 'why Gen-Z doesn’t hate Hitler,' a post he later deleted. These revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny on Collins as he prepares for November’s midterm elections against Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff.