Trump reignites feuds with top Georgia Republicans at Atlanta rally
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Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Georgia State University Convocation Center. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Former President Trump packed the same Atlanta venue Saturday about as tightly as Vice President Kamala Harris did Tuesday. But the events couldn't have been more different.
Why it matters: While Harris' rally featured a show of unity among Georgia Democrats, Trump took the moment to renew past attacks on some of the state's top Republicans at Georgia State University's Convocation Center.
- Attacking Gov. Brian Kemp, Trump said: "Atlanta is like a killing field and your governor ought to get off his ass and do something about it."
- He accused Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger of "doing everything possible to make 2024 difficult for Republicans to win."
The big picture: Georgia is one of seven swing states expected to decide November's presidential election — and a state that Trump lost narrowly in 2020.
- "Ninety-four days from now, we're going to win the state of Georgia," Trump told the crowd."We're going to evict this radical and incompetent administration."
Yes, but: Conservative radio host and Kemp supporter Erick Erickson argued on X that the former president's intra-party attacks risk his chances of winning the 2024 election, since both Georgian politicians won re-election handily in 2022.
- "And if he loses, it'll be because of this stuff, not a stolen election," Erickson said.
Friction point: Trump's comments came after a social media post attacking Kemp and Raffensperger earlier that day.
- Kemp responded that he's focused on "saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats - not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past."
- Raffensperger took the moment to remind Trump of his failed attempts to unseat both Georgians in 2022: "History has taught us this type of message doesn't sell well here."
The vibe: The crowd at Trump's rally was overwhelmingly white and spanned age groups. Many wore red, white and blue, as well as MAGA hats and other pro-Trump gear. They were treated to songs by Kid Rock, ZZ Top and Martha McBride.
- Speakers ranged from Georgia officials like U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to Trump supporter Michaelah Montgomery.
- "He took a bullet for you," said Greene, referring to last month's assassination attempt on the former president.
What they're saying: Collins told the crowd that Harris' rally was a "twerk concert."
- Trump's VP nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) characterized Harris as a "San Francisco liberal" responsible for influxes of undocumented immigrants and inflation.
- "I think it's time to say 'Kamala Harris, you're fired,'" Vance said.
By contrast, Harris' event, which also featured Megan Thee Stallion and both Georgia U.S. senators, attracted a crowd that was "overwhelmingly young, women and a majority of people of color" who danced to music from Whitney Houston, Justin Timberlake and Kool and the Gang.
What's next: Harris is expected back in Georgia Friday — at a campaign stop in Savannah with her new running mate.
- Trump does not have any additional Georgia stops on his public schedule.
