In an energetic comeback, former President Donald Trump hosted a rally at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center on Saturday, marking his first campaign stop in Georgia since the Democratic primary shuffle.
The event attracted a sizable crowd and emphasized Trump’s strategy as he finds himself in a tight contest against Vice President Kamala Harris in this pivotal state.
Trump’s rally came days after Harris held her own event at the same venue, drawing around 10,000 supporters and featuring rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
While he lacked musical performances, Trump did share the stage with various Republican figures and local leaders during his speech.
Here are the key takeaways from Saturday’s rally in Atlanta:
Revisiting the 2020 Election and Critiquing Local Officials
Trump reiterated his unfounded claims of winning Georgia twice and took aim at Republican Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, criticizing them for not overturning the 2020 election results. He insinuated that they were undermining his 2024 campaign.
Earlier in the day, Trump blasted Kemp on Truth Social, accusing him of being disloyal to the party and challenging his crime record.
Kemp responded on X (formerly Twitter), urging Trump to focus on the upcoming elections instead of engaging in personal attacks: “You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it.”
My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats – not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past.
You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it. pic.twitter.com/m8y6CSuZKY
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) August 3, 2024
Legal Troubles in Georgia
Trump touched on the charges against him in Fulton County, made provocative remarks about District Attorney Fani Willis, and referenced attempted disqualification efforts due to alleged improper relationships within her team.
He and 18 co-defendants face accusations of racketeering related to their efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 election in Georgia.
Comments on Russia
Discussing a recent prisoner exchange with Russia, Trump congratulated President Vladimir Putin, claiming it favored Russia while criticizing the Biden administration’s role in the deal.
The swap involved the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and security contractor Paul Whelan. Trump remarked, “Boy, we make some horrible, horrible deals.”
Engaging Black Voters
Before the rally, Trump met with Black business leaders, signaling an interest in boosting support from African American voters. During the rally, he invited political consultant Michaelah Montgomery on stage, who commended Trump’s efforts for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Despite this outreach, some experts, like Marybeth Gasman from Rutgers, have noted that Trump’s involvement may have been limited. “Congress does all this work and presents it to him…,” she explained.
As the election nears, both campaigns are ramping up efforts to rally their bases and capture undecided voters in Georgia. With 16 electoral votes at stake, every campaign move in the state holds significant importance in this competitive race.