Trump Stirs Controversy in Georgia, Attacks Republican Governor

Donald Trump, the former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate, reignited old wounds with Republicans in the crucial state of Georgia—a state he lost in the 2020 elections.

Before addressing a crowd of supporters in Atlanta on Saturday, Trump launched a fierce attack on Georgia's Republican Governor, Brian Kemp, who might be essential for Trump in the November elections. He criticized Kemp on "Truth Social" for what he deemed as "fighting against unity and the Republican party."

As Trump took the stage, he harshly criticized Kemp, stating, "He's a bad and disloyal man...a very ordinary governor," which elicited boos directed at Kemp from the crowd.

The attack immediately raised concerns among Georgia Republicans, who warned that Trump’s remarks threatened his already shaky prospects in the state.

Bobby Sapparo, a Republican agent and former campaign manager for Brian Kemp, told Politico, "I'm sitting here scratching my head. Attacking a popular governor in a pivotal swing state makes no sense at all. If we truly want to unite, we should seek the support of the man who beat your opponent in the primaries by 52 points and easily defeated Stacey Abrams."

Eric Erickson, a Republican and radio show host in Georgia, commented to Politico, "More than 30,000 people refused to vote for Trump in Georgia in 2020, and Trump lost by about 12,000 votes. All he's doing now is reminding everyone why he was rejected in the state. Trump has no leverage in Georgia, and this attack on Kemp will hurt him."

Many Republicans in and outside Georgia still harbor harsh feelings about Trump's claims of election fraud in the state during the 2020 presidential election, which significantly set back the party during the 2021 Senate runoff.

Democrats won two Senate seats in Georgia in January that year, when many believed Trump's allegations about election fraud led to weakened Republican turnout.

Eric Tanenblat, a veteran Republican strategist and fundraiser who recently chaired Nikki Haley's presidential nomination campaign in Georgia, said, "In Atlanta, President Trump criticized Governor Brian Kemp and revisited the 2020 election results. As Georgia is a pivotal state, it's crucial that the Republican Party looks forward and avoids dwelling on past elections. To win the upcoming elections, Republicans need a unified front and to prioritize policies that focus on the future."

Trump opened his speech in Atlanta at the same venue where his Democratic rival, Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, had held an electoral event just days before. He expressed, "I'm delighted to be back in the great state of Georgia. I love Georgia."

In response to Trump's post on "Truth Social," Kemp stated that his focus was "winning in November and saving our country from 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."

It remains unclear what prompted Trump's attack on Kemp, though some Republicans privately speculated that it was due to Kemp's absence at the rally, but an insider reported that Kemp was not invited.

A Republican agent in Georgia said, "The most important point is to try to unify your party, but it's insane to attack the state's most popular politician who has confirmed his support for you."