Dan Bilzerian, a social media personality often referred to as the “King of Instagram,” has entered the political arena, filing to run for Congress in Florida’s 6th District. His candidacy sets up a challenge against Republican Rep. Randy Fine, a first-term lawmaker who has drawn attention for past remarks about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Bilzerian first signaled his plans in early April, later making it official with a Federal Election Commission filing that lists him as a Republican candidate. Despite his party registration, his public statements over the years have frequently broken with mainstream Republican positions, particularly on foreign policy and U.S. support for Israel.
Fine, who won a special election last year to replace former Rep. Mike Waltz, has built his profile as a staunch supporter of Israel and former President Donald Trump. He has also faced criticism for comments made during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a June 2025 post on X, Fine wrote that Gazans could “starve away” until Hamas released Israeli hostages, a statement that drew backlash from critics who viewed it as endorsing collective punishment. In a separate interview, he invoked World War II, saying the United States used nuclear weapons against Japan to secure unconditional surrender, suggesting a similar level of resolve is needed to end the current conflict.
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Bilzerian has seized on those remarks as part of his criticism of Fine. In a recent social media post, he questioned the congressman’s priorities and accused him of placing foreign interests ahead of the United States. That message is consistent with Bilzerian’s broader rhetoric, which has often focused on opposition to U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts and criticism of Israeli policy.
At the same time, Bilzerian’s own statements have generated significant controversy. In past interviews and posts, he has made sweeping claims about religion, including assertions about Judaism that have been widely criticized. He has also described Hamas as “the good guys” in the conflict, a position that sharply contrasts with U.S. policy and the views of most elected officials in both parties.
His criticism has not been limited to foreign policy. Bilzerian has also targeted former President Trump, using inflammatory language and calling for his impeachment, even as he now seeks office as a Republican candidate.
Fine’s campaign has responded by emphasizing the congressman’s alignment with Trump and the broader “America First” agenda. A spokesperson highlighted Fine’s positions on border security, immigration enforcement, election reform, and tax policy, while also noting that he has received multiple endorsements from Trump over the past two years.
There are also practical questions surrounding Bilzerian’s candidacy. His FEC filing lists a Las Vegas address, and candidates for the U.S. House are required to live in the state they represent at the time of election, though not necessarily at the time of filing.
The race, still in its early stages, reflects a broader trend of high-profile personalities entering politics, sometimes bringing large online followings but also a history of controversial statements. As the campaign develops, both candidates are likely to face continued scrutiny over their records and rhetoric, particularly on issues related to foreign policy and political leadership.
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