Former Georgia aide shares AI-generated Klan image, sparks controversy
A former staff member of Rep. Mike Collins posted an AI-created picture of himself in a Klan robe, claiming it was satire, while Collins praised the work’s reach.
Former aide Preston Parra, previously employed by Rep. Mike Collins, posted on X an AI-generated depiction of himself in a notorious white hooded robe, labeling the image as a satirical provocation. Parra insisted that Collins had no knowledge of the account, which he kept private, and denied white-supremacist ties, citing his religion and Colombian heritage. In July, Parra also shared a graphic arranging a slang term for young gay men into a swastika shape, evoking Holocaust imagery.
Collins’s consulting website recorded his praise for the "quality" of the work, noting that its reach could be gauged by audience numbers. The incident follows other controversies surrounding Collins’s circle, including his son-in-law’s alleged racist posts and a former chief of staff’s alleged white-nationalist group chat, prompting more than 50 Black Georgia legislators to denounce Collins for his associates’ remarks.
Why it matters
The incident highlights how AI-generated extremist imagery can be used for political provocation and raises questions about a candidate's oversight of staff.
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