Ossoff and Collins clash over tariffs, white nationalist ties in Georgia
Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins held their first Georgia Senate debate Thursday night in Atlanta. They fought over prices, tariffs, the Iran war and Ossoff's charge that Collins has ties to white nationalists. Ossoff holds the only Democratic Senate seat on the ballot in a state Trump won, and they meet again Tuesday.
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins traded sharp personal attacks Thursday night in their first Georgia Senate debate. The hourlong debate in Atlanta was hosted by Atlanta News First and aired on Gray Media stations across the state.
Ossoff opened by calling the night "the trial of Mike Collins." Later he told Collins, "You've hired half the Third Reich to staff your congressional office," The Washington Post reported. He was pointing to reports about a former staffer and Collins' son-in-law sharing Nazi imagery online.
Collins said the charges were "craziness." "I've condemned racism, antisemitism, hate," he said. "I don't care where the source is." He called Ossoff a "radical" and a "trust fund kid who's never had a job in his life," the Washington Examiner reported.
Prices came first. Ossoff said diesel is up 70% since Trump was elected and promised to "repeal those tariffs." Collins blamed inflation on the Democrats' 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. He said Trump's big tax and spending law cut taxes for families by more than $3,000.
On Iran, Ossoff said the war has killed 18 Americans and pushed gas to $4. Collins said Trump had "every right" to make sure Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.
Collins is under a House ethics investigation over claims that public money paid an employee who did little work. He called the complaint "bogus" and a "nothingburger." He also attacked Ossoff for backing Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat running for Senate in Michigan.
There was some common ground. Both said local communities should have a say on data centers, CBS News Atlanta reported.
Ossoff is the only Senate Democrat seeking reelection in a state Trump won in 2024. Collins has the backing of Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp. A polling average cited by the Examiner had Ossoff ahead 51% to 43.2%. The two meet again Tuesday in an Atlanta Press Club debate, the same day early voting begins in Georgia.
What we know: Ossoff wants to repeal the tariffs, and Collins defends Trump's tax law and the Iran war.
What we don't: Whether Tuesday's second debate is any less personal.
Where outlets agree The Washington Post and the Washington Examiner both report that Ossoff told Collins he had "hired half the Third Reich" to staff his congressional office.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.