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 reelection 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.
