In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump drastically changed his tone towards Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Thursday night, just weeks after publicly criticizing him as a “bad guy” and an “average governor.” The shift occurred shortly after Kemp expressed his support for Trump during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s prime-time Fox News show.
Trump Thanks Kemp for Support in Georgia
In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked Kemp for his “help and support in Georgia where a win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country.” Trump added, “I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Kemp’s Appearance on Hannity’s Show
The dramatic change in Trump’s stance came just minutes after Kemp reiterated his commitment to electing Republicans up and down the ballot, including Trump, during his appearance on Hannity’s show. Kemp emphasized the importance of a Republican victory in the upcoming election, stating, “We’ve got to win. We have to win from the top of the ticket down. I have been saying consistently, for a long time, we cannot afford another four years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Kemp continued, “We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House, we need to retake the Senate, we need to hold the House, we need to hold our legislative majorities that we have in the great state of Georgia.”
Addressing Concerns in Georgia
Trump’s recent criticism of Kemp had raised concerns among some Georgia Republicans about the potential impact on Trump’s chances in the state. Polling has shown a tightening race between Trump and Harris in Georgia, with the former president’s once-strong lead narrowing since Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket. Despite these concerns, Kemp assured Hannity that Republicans were actively working to mobilize voters and secure victories across the state.
Trump Acknowledges Kemp’s Support
Later that night, during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump acknowledged Kemp’s support, stating, “He said he wants Trump to win and he’s going to work with me 100 percent and I think we will have a very good relationship with Brian Kemp.”
Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, also expressed confidence in Kemp’s support, stating, “I am 100 percent, guarantee you, that Brian Kemp is behind this ticket.”
Looking Ahead in Georgia
The thaw in relations between Trump and Kemp was anticipated by many Republican operatives in Georgia, who expected the two to ultimately come together with a common goal in mind. As polling tightens, the Trump campaign is making significant investments in Georgia, including over $20 million in advertising and a massive $100 million ad buy by the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. in battleground states.
While Trump’s recent truce with Kemp may have surprised some, it reflects a broader strategy to consolidate Republican support in a state that could prove crucial in the upcoming election.
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