Former President Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are set to make a joint appearance for the first time in four years as they receive a briefing on recovery and relief efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the southeast United States. The two will be briefed on storm damage and address the press during their visit to Evans, Georgia, a town in the northeast part of the state. This event is not being labeled as a campaign stop.
Trump's visit to Georgia marks his second trip this week, with the state, along with North and South Carolina, and Tennessee, being directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. The storm has resulted in a death toll exceeding 220, with hundreds still missing, over 800,000 people without power or running water, and damage estimates in the billions.
As Trump is engaged in a tight presidential race with Vice President Kamala Harris, Georgia and North Carolina are pivotal battleground states. Trump has criticized President Biden and Harris for their handling of the federal response to the storm, labeling it as the worst and most incompetently managed storm at the federal level.
Vice President Harris visited Georgia for storm briefings and to meet with local officials and storm victims, canceling a campaign swing in Pennsylvania. She is scheduled to visit North Carolina to assess the damage and receive briefings on recovery efforts.
Trump's previous tensions with Gov. Kemp stemmed from the 2020 election results, where Trump accused Kemp of failing to overturn the election outcome in Georgia. Despite their past conflicts, Trump recently praised Kemp for his support in Georgia, emphasizing the importance of the state in the success of the Republican Party.
Republican strategists acknowledge the significance of Georgia in the upcoming election, with Kemp's political machinery being crucial for mobilizing GOP voters. Kemp highlighted the necessity of winning Georgia to secure electoral votes and expressed his commitment to turning out the Republican vote.
In an exclusive interview, Kemp emphasized the need to focus on the future and contrast the records of the Democratic candidates. He underscored the importance of providing reasons for voters to support the Republican Party and highlighted the potential consequences of another term under the current administration.
