Former President Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp put their differences aside publicly after Hurricane Helene hit the state, showcasing a united front in assisting with recovery efforts. Trump praised Kemp for his leadership and promised to support the state if he returns to the White House. The appearance in Evans marked a significant change from the tension between the two Republicans following the 2020 election, where Trump falsely claimed victory and criticized Kemp for not supporting his efforts to overturn the results.
In a show of solidarity, Trump and Kemp met privately before addressing the media, accompanied by top campaign advisers and Trump’s daughter-in-law. Trump commended Kemp for his response to the storm and praised the governor, despite later repeating false claims about President Joe Biden’s administration’s handling of the situation. Kemp confirmed that President Biden had reached out to offer assistance directly to Georgia, underscoring the federal government’s support for the state’s recovery efforts.
During the public appearance, Kemp refrained from taking questions from reporters, avoiding any potential contradictions with Trump’s statements. The governor highlighted the federal government’s approval of disaster declarations for the affected counties, ensuring that the state would receive federal reimbursement for the response efforts. While Kemp did not directly address Trump’s criticisms of Biden, he emphasized the support Georgia was receiving from the federal government in the aftermath of the hurricane.
The display of unity between Trump and Kemp comes after months of tension within the Republican Party in Georgia, particularly over the 2020 election results. Concerns about GOP disunity leading to a repeat of Biden’s victory in the state prompted negotiations and discussions between key figures like Sen. Lindsey Graham and Trump’s running mate JD Vance. Kemp eventually stated his support for Trump’s potential 2024 comeback bid, leading to public praise from the former president on social media.
Despite the public display of support, Kemp’s focus during a recent speech at a Faith & Freedom Coalition gala was primarily on criticizing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris rather than explicitly endorsing Trump. His wife, Marty Kemp, who had previously indicated she might write in her husband’s name on her presidential ballot, did not appear with him and Trump during the event in Evans. The newfound unity between Trump and Kemp signals a potential shift in the dynamics of the Republican Party in Georgia and their strategy heading into future elections.
