Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Backs Donald Trump, Ending Feud as Dems Gain Strength

Former President Donald Trump seems to have put an end to his ongoing feud with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. This shift in their relationship became evident during Kemp’s recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, where he openly endorsed Trump. In response, Trump took to Truth Social to express his gratitude, thanking Kemp for his support.

The tone of this interaction is notably different from earlier this month when Trump publicly insulted Kemp during a rally in Atlanta, referring to him as “Little Brian Kemp.” This animosity dates back to the 2020 presidential election, during which Kemp refused Trump’s requests to aid in trying to overturn the election results. Despite their past conflicts, the two are now presenting a united front at a time when Vice President Kamala Harris has been gaining traction in important battleground states, including Georgia.

Previously, Trump had harshly criticized Kemp, labeling him as “a bad guy,” “disloyal,” and “very average” as a governor. The former president had also claimed on Truth Social that Kemp’s electoral success had hinged on Trump’s endorsement.

In response to Trump’s barrage of insults, Kemp stated his focus was on winning the upcoming election in November and prioritizing the country’s interests over personal grievances. He urged Trump to refrain from engaging in petty insults and to keep his family out of the discourse. Kemp highlighted the necessity for a collective effort to prevent another term for Biden and Harris.

However, during the Democratic National Convention, where Harris was nominated, Kemp made a notable pivot by endorsing Trump. He reinforced his message, asserting, “We gotta win from the top of the ticket on down.” Kemp called upon supporters to mobilize and stressed the urgency of defeating Biden and Harris, whom he believes would lead to a worse outcome for the country. He emphasized the importance of sending Trump back to the White House for the benefit of the nation.

Trump reciprocated the sentiment through a post on Truth Social, thanking Kemp for his support and acknowledging the importance of winning in Georgia. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with Kemp and his team, reinforcing his campaign’s mantra of “Make America Great Again.”

In terms of electoral history, Trump’s loss in Georgia in 2020 was narrow, with him trailing Biden by just under 12,000 votes, a margin of only 0.2%. His plea to Kemp in December 2020 to persuade the state legislature to intervene in favor of overturning Biden’s victory was met with refusal from the governor. Additionally, Trump is currently involved in a Georgia election racketeering case alongside 18 other defendants, highlighting the legal challenges he faces.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has been gaining momentum in national polling averages since she ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket, taking over from Biden. As per recent data from FiveThirtyEight, Harris is now trailing Trump by a margin of 0.6% in Georgia, a notable reduction from a 1.4% gap reported on July 30.

The dynamic between Trump and Kemp underscores the shifting landscape of political alliances as the 2024 election approaches. With Kemp’s renewed support, Trump hopes to strengthen his position in Georgia, a state that will play a crucial role in the upcoming election.

Source: USA TODAY