7:19 p.m. Trump praises election board contributors, bashes Kemp and RaffenspergerFormer President Donald Trump praised 3 contributors of the Georgia State Election Board who’ve pressed for more difficult laws forward of the November election – whilst he persevered to make false claims that the 2020 election was once stolen.Election board contributors Rick Jeffares, Janelle King and Janice Johnston have pressed a chain of laws they are saying are designed to extend transparency. Critics concern they’re making an attempt to pave the way in which for Republicans to reject the result of a Democratic victory within the presidential election.“The ones 3 individuals are implausible,” Trump stated.The 3 Republican-appointed board contributors drew complaint and a lawsuit once they met not too long ago to approve two election laws regardless of issues from the Lawyer Common’s Workplace that the assembly would violate the state Open Conferences Act. The board later agreed to revisit the principles at any other assembly.Trump additionally took any other shot at Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.“They don’t need the election to be fair,” he stated. “Individually, thy need us to lose.”Trump has made false allegations about vote casting fraud in Georgia for years, and Saturday was once no other.“I gained this state two times, personally,” he informed the gang.State and federal investigators have tested a large number of allegations of vote casting fraud following the 2020 election and located no proof to beef up them. Amongst different issues, they have got debunked claims that that tens of hundreds of useless other folks voted, studies of counterfeit ballots, allegations of unlawful poll harvesting and stories of election-night ballot-stuffing.- David Wickert7 p.m.: Trump blames Harris for Laken Riley’s deathFormer President Donald Trump blamed Vice President Kamala Harris in uncooked, scathing phrases for the brutal killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing pupil bludgeoned to demise at the campus of the College of Georgia.”Kamala Harris will have to no longer be asking on your vote,” Trump informed hundreds of supporters all through a rally at Georgia State College’s area in downtown Atlanta. “She will have to be begging Laken Riley’s circle of relatives for forgiveness.”ExploreHere’s why Laken Riley is essential to Donald Trump’s messaging for Georgia votersHe added that Riley’s “blood is on Kamala Harris’ palms” and that she would possibly as neatly had been “status there, staring at herself” the brutal slaying.Riley’s frame was once came upon Feb. 22 in a wooded space close to UGA’s intramural fields. The person charged in her killing, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, is a Venezuela nationwide who was once arrested in 2022 after unlawfully coming into the USA, federal immigration officers stated. He has pleaded no longer accountable.Trump and different Republicans have lengthy attempted to faucet into the fury of his celebration’s conservative base over immigration insurance policies responsible Democrats for her demise.And Trump’s marketing campaign introduced an advert blitz in Georgia and different battleground states this week blasting Harris over immigration. At her Atlanta rally this week, she vowed to restore a bipartisan border safety deal that Trump helped scuttle.-Greg Bluestein6:51 p.m.: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger answered to Trump’s on-line assaults Saturday.Georgia’s elections are protected. The winner right here in November will replicate the need of the folk. Historical past has taught us this kind of message doesn’t promote neatly right here in Georgia, sir. %.twitter.com/G8yjxtvjPJ— GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) August 3, 2024
6:47 p.m. Trump discussed Fulton County District Lawyer Fani Willis, whose title drew loud “boos” at Saturday’s rally. Willis charged Trump and 18 others remaining 12 months for his or her roles in seeking to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.Trump sought to tie Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to Willis.“You realize, Fani Willis is a great pal of your governor,” Trump stated. “I’m no longer keen on your governor.”Later, he portrayed Atlanta as a crime-ridden hell.“Atlanta is sort of a killing box, and your governor must get off his ass and do something positive about it,” Trump stated.In January, the Atlanta Police Division stated the selection of homicides in Atlanta dropped to 135 in 2023, down from 171 the former 12 months. Different violent crimes, together with rape and irritated attack, had been additionally down remaining 12 months, with the selection of rape circumstances being minimize in part.Thru July 20, the remaining replace for crime information at the division’s website online, 69 homicides were investigated, up one from the similar date in 2023.- David Wickert6:35 p.m.: Trump faced Democratic messaging positioning him as a danger to democracy, announcing, “I believe I were given shot on account of that.” The group roared as he countered, “I’m going to avoid wasting democracy.”6:24 p.m.: “For all of you non-believers, that one was once from God,” Donald Trump says, talking about his assassination strive at a rally in Pennsylvania.6:15 p.m.: Donald Trump stated he’d love to “congratulate Vladimir Putin for making but any other nice deal.” This week, President Joe Biden secured prisoners held in Russia in a change, and Trump has railed in opposition to the hostage deal.6:09 p.m.: Trump: ‘I don’t want celebrities’Trump drew a distinction between his rally and a Kamala Harris rally previous this week that featured quite a lot of celebrities.“I don’t want entertainers,” Trump stated. “I stuffed the stadium as a result of I’m making The us nice once more.”Following complaint that he incessantly mispronounced opponent Kamala Harris title, Trump quipped, “There are lots of alternative ways of claiming it, she best likes 3.”Trump additionally criticizes the Georgia State College management announcing “we can have have compatibility extra other folks in.”“In the event that they’re going to face in the way in which of admitting other folks into our rally, simply consider what they’re going to do on election day.”- Michele Baruchman and Merrill Hart6:05 p.m. Former President Donald Trump simply walked on level.5:47 p.m. Trump is assembly with Black industry house owners forward of his Atlanta rally.Taking place now: Trump is assembly with Black industry house owners forward of his Atlanta rally. A number of say inexperienced power rules and inflation is “killing” their base line.
“We’ll be again,” Trump says. “We’ll be again the place we had been, however higher.” #gapol %.twitter.com/i0UAWVY0E4— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 3, 2024
5:16 p.m. Protesters acquire out of doors Trump rallyMore than a dozen protesters are coated up around the side road from the conference middle, and organizers say they have got been protesting Trump and Vance’s talk over with since 3 pm. They plan to proceed protesting till the tip of Trump’s speech.Nate Knauf is an organizer with the Atlanta Bankruptcy of the Democratic Socialists of The us. He stated they need to make it transparent that Trump and Vance aren’t welcome in Atlanta.“We’re right here protesting Trump and Vance as a result of we predict that fascists haven’t any position within the town of Atlanta,” he stated. “The Trump Vance platform it’s a racist, a sexist, anti-gay, anti-immigrant schedule which is excited about dividing running other folks to battle among each and every different. The true battle is between the running magnificence and the only %.”
Credit score: Ben Hendren
Credit score: Ben HendrenThe crew has been chanting “no justice, no peace, US out of the Heart East” and different slogans. They need to see a ceasefire in Palestine and extra coverage of queer rights and immigrant rights.Trump supporters have countered the protests chants with “USA! USA!” and feature started status in entrance of the protesters. Over a dozen law enforcement officials arrived to watch the protest.- Phoebe Quinton5:02 p.m.: Vance attracts on ‘hillbilly’ childhoodVance drew upon his youth in Ohio, the topic of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” to say that the American dream is loss of life beneath the Biden and Harris management. He promised to rebuild American business and battle for the ones suffering within the nation. ”It’s the little man who hurts essentially the most when Kamala Harris fails,” Vance stated.“I do know what it’s like to observe households fall aside beneath monetary tension,” Vance stated. “However I additionally know that our nationwide motto is ‘In God we consider,’ and God tells us to not melancholy, however to wish. This state of Georgia goes to have a really perfect recovery.”- Merrill Hart4:55 p.m. Trump bashes 3 Georgia RepublicansAhead of his rally, Donald Trump took to his social media platform to assault a trio of Georgia Republicans he blamed for his 2020 election defeat: Gov. Brian Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and previous Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.Trump praised the Georgia GOP for in the hunt for to exile Duncan, whom he classified as a “general light-weight.” He renewed assaults in opposition to Kemp, announcing Georgia’s crime fee is “horrible” on his watch. And he framed Raffensperger as a traitor to the celebration.”We need to purge the Celebration of people who cross in opposition to our Applicants, and make it more difficult for a well-liked Republican President to overcome the Radical Left Lunatics,” he wrote on his social media platform.- Greg Bluestein4:51 p.m. Vance portrays Harris as a Washington eliteVance located Harris as a Washington elite, condemning her function within the Inflation Relief Act and higher gasoline costs beneath the Biden management.”It’s no longer the fee we pay for democracy, it’s the fee we pay for her failed management,” Vance stated.Pushing again in opposition to contemporary Democratic language calling MAGA “bizarre,” Vance accused Harris of being “bizarre” via placing on what he noticed as a pretend southern accessory all through her Atlanta rally.Vance additionally driven again in opposition to Democrats claiming that Trump supporters are disloyal to The us.”Loyalty is protective Laken Riley, no longer permitting an unlawful immigrant to take her lifestyles,” Vance stated.- Merrill Hart4:46 p.m.: Vance: ‘The us isn’t going to elect a San Francisco liberal’JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee, took the level on the rally in Atlanta Saturday and right away prompt Kamala Harris was once no longer moderately located for the highest of the Democratic price ticket.”She has no longer gained a unmarried vote for president,” he stated.Harris was once so unpopular, he stated, that she didn’t even rank within the best 3 applicants for president all through the Democratic number one in 2020.”The us isn’t going to elect a San Francisco liberal who’s thus far out of doors the mainstream,” he stated.- Michelle Baruchman4:23 p.m. Lt. Gov. Jones tweaks his predecessor: ‘You’ll be able to’t repair silly’There’s no love misplaced between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and his predecessor, Geoff Duncan.For starters, Jones is an avowed Donald Trump supporter and Duncan is without doubt one of the few distinguished Republicans to again Vice President Kamala Harris. On Friday, the Georgia GOP took steps to exile Duncan from the celebration.Jones, alternatively, didn’t need it to prevent there. He opened his speech at Saturday’s rally with a jab at Duncan.“I don’t need any individual to confuse me with the previous lieutenant governor who was once right here supporting Kamala Harris …” Jones stated. “Somebody requested me what I considered that, and I stated, ‘Once in a while you simply can’t repair silly.’”.-Greg Bluestein4:16 p.m.: Greene: Street to White Area is going via GeorgiaU.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene turns out to trust Democrats on one level: “The street to the White Area is going without delay in the course of the state of Georgia.”However that was once so far as the shared ideals went.“Our election, Georgia, was once stolen from us,” she informed a crowd of Trump supporters Saturday to thunderous applause.Greene stated seniors have demanding situations paying hire and purchasing drugs whilst “younger other folks would possibly by no means have the ability to find the money for a brand new house or the American dream.”Even though events could make their very own nominating laws, Greene wondered the equity of placing Harris on the best of the price ticket. “No longer a unmarried democratic voter has voted for this to occur,” she stated.- Michelle Baruchman4 p.m.: A gaggle of Trump supporters marched alongside the out of doors of the conference middle, chanting “USA.”3:58 p.m.: Collins calls Harris ‘the Stacey Abrams of California’If there’s a reputation that’s certain to rile up a GOP target market in Georgia, it’s no longer President Joe Biden and even Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s Stacey Abrams, the previous state legislator who two times misplaced to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Jackson, leaned into that on Saturday as he revved up the gang of hundreds of Donald Trump supporters. It was once most definitely his loudest applause line.”Kamala Harris is just like the Stacey Abrams of California … Georgia didn’t need Stacey and we don’t need Kamala,” he stated.- Greg Bluestein3:54 p.m. Brian Jack: ‘Donald Trump took a bullet for us’Congressional candidate Brian Jack painted a portrait of Donald Trump as an empathetic, being concerned one who has long gone out of his solution to lend a hand prone other folks, together with in Georgia.Jack stated Trump heard a couple of circle of relatives in Burke County who was once liable to having their house foreclosed upon.“I’ve by no means met you. I’m moved via your tale. I wanna lend a hand,” Jack stated the previous president informed them.Jack additionally stated Trump prolonged a long “thanks” to the emergency employees who answered to the Interstate 85 bridge cave in, announcing “let’s get the ones heroes to the White Area.””That’s the President Trump I do know and that’s the guy we will have to re-elect,” he stated. ”Donald Trump took a bullet for us. The least we will do is get out and vote for him.”- Michelle Baruchman3:46 p.m.: Perdue rallies Trump supportersFormer U.S. Sen. David Perdue persevered to tiptoe again onto the political scene, taking centerstage at Donald Trump’s rally for a short lived pep communicate to the gang.”I’m right here to inform you if we don’t do our activity,” stated Perdue. “President Trump isn’t going to be reelected.”The Republican has seemed at a trio of Trump occasions this 12 months, a few of his best political appearances since his back-to-back defeats for U.S. Senate and governor. Whilst he’s not going to run for public place of work, allies say he may well be in line for a federal appointment if Trump wins.- Greg Bluestein3:30 p.m. MAGA pols prove for TrumpThe MAGA Georgia glitterati was once out in complete power on Saturday when former President Donald Trump holds his first joint rally in Atlanta along with his newly christened working mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance.Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper led the target market within the Pledge of Allegiance. U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Marjorie Taylor Greene fanned out in the course of the crowd. Former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins drew cheers anywhere he went.Lt. Gov. Burt Jones was once front-and-center together with a couple of different Republicans who gained Trump’s endorsement in 2022. So was once Democrat-turned-Republican Vernon Jones, who misplaced a U.S. Area race regardless of incomes Trump’s blessing.Simply as notable will likely be those that didn’t attend: A trio of Republican incumbents Trump attempted to oust two years in the past after blaming Gov. Brian Kemp and his allies for his election defeat.Lawyer Common Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger despatched phrase via aides they gained’t be attending; Carr cited a circle of relatives legal responsibility. Likewise, a Kemp aide additionally stated he wouldn’t sign up for the rally at Georgia State College’s convocation middle.The fourth member of the GOP quartet who thwarted Trump-backed challengers within the 2022 number one is Insurance coverage Commissioner John King, who had skipped earlier rallies. Curiously, he sat close to the entrance of the level on Saturday.- Greg Bluestein3:20: Carter desires to lend a hand defeat TrumpFormer Democratic President Jimmy Carter has extra on his thoughts than his one centesimal birthday on Oct. 1. He desires to lend a hand defeat Republican Donald Trump.“I’m best seeking to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” Carter informed his son Chip this week, in line with his grandson Jason Carter.You’ll be able to learn extra right here.- Greg Bluestein3:15 p.m.: Georgia ag commissioner addresses immigration at Trump rallyGeorgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper addressed the rising crowd at Saturday’s Trump rally in Atlanta.Harper stated that, beneath Donald Trump, “we gained’t have illegals crossing the border.”He additionally emphasised Trump’s beef up for women and men who serve within the U.S. army and led the gang within the pledge of allegiance to “honor the flag.””It’s time to position the educate at the proper tracks,” he stated.- Michelle Baruchman3 p.m. Marjorie Taylor Greene cheered at Trump rallyDonald Trump is the megastar of Saturday’s rally. However in Georgia, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene may well be an in depth 2nd.The Rome Republican was once cheered in all places she went inside of Georgia State College’s convocation middle, together with as she stepped onto the risers for a chain of media interviews.The MAGA loyalist is certainly one of Trump’s maximum ardent allies and squashed a Democratic challenger two years in the past who raised greater than $16 million. She informed the AJC she desires Trump to nominate her to steer the Division of Hometown Safety if she wins.2:40 p.m.: Trump no longer backing clear of wondering Harris’ racial identityYou may virtually listen the groans from senior Georgia Republicans after former President Donald Trump used a discussion board with Black reporters this week to query Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identification. If the backdrop of his Atlanta rally is any indication, Trump isn’t backing off his remarks wrongly announcing that Harris, the primary vp of Black and South Asian descent, “was” Black for political causes.Flat display TVs round Georgia State College’s convocation middle featured a 2016 Industry Insider headline that learn: “California’s Kamala Harris turns into first Indian-American US senator.”Want a sign former President Donald Trump’s marketing campaign is doubling down on wondering Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identification? This information clip seems on a number of displays across the area the place he’ll quickly rally. #gapol %.twitter.com/u6GHxXxvfl— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 3, 2024
Harris, who has all the time highlighted her shared heritage, described the previous president’s feedback as “the similar previous display, the divisiveness and the disrespect.””Let me simply say,” she stated, “the American other folks deserve higher.”- Greg Bluestein2:32 p.m.: Trump supporters commute from around the regionTrump supporters from around the area traveled to Atlanta to look the previous president.When requested why he attended the rally, 65-year-old John Wilkins of Stockbridge gave a straight-forward resolution.“I like Trump, and I like what he stands for,” Wilkins stated. “And I hate the entirety that the Democrats do.”Wilkins indexed the border, the economic system and abortion as best coverage priorities.
Credit score: Merrill HartCredit score: Merrill HartErvin Boger, 69, had his son, a Georgia State pupil, drop him off prior to the doorways opened at 1 p.m. He waited in line at the back of masses of alternative Trump supporters two blocks clear of the doorway of the convocation middle.“After which to search out that the road is see you later, I stated Wow I will have to’ve gotten right here previous!” he stated. “Everybody’s simply so satisfied and comfy and ready their flip. It’s only a more than happy, secure surroundings. Very supportive.”Mac and Wendy Mullins (53 and 50 years previous) drove an hour from Alpharetta to look Trump. They believe he’ll completely win Georgia.“So long as there’s no humorous industry it will have to be alright,” stated Mac.“It’s simply going to be a question of whether or not the machines had been corrected,” Wendy added.They stated taxes and financial freedom are certainly one of their best issues.Logan Lott, 23, of Conyers, stated he desires Trump to reestablish the economic system the rustic had beneath the Trump management and make elections honest once more.“My largest factor this election is simply retaining elections honest and ensuring each unmarried vote is counted,” Lott stated.- Merrill Hart, Phoebe Quinton and Caleb Groves2:18 p.m.: Harris’ marketing campaign will get a pep communicate SaturdayWhile Republican Donald Trump rallied in Atlanta, Democrat Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign were given a pep communicate.U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, informed a bunch of volunteers at a Harris for Georgia marketing campaign place of work Saturday that Trump’s political schedule quantities to “the previous Jim Crow playbook.””They’re seeking to take us again to the entirety that we didn’t have again within the day,” she stated.Crockett stated the stakes of the election aren’t simply who’s elected to the presidency, however who the president has the facility to nominate to the Preferrred Courtroom.”They don’t need us to get forward. And I once I say us, it’s no longer simply Black other folks. It’s anyone who isn’t previous, white and already wealthy,” she stated.Crockett referenced the past due Georgia Congressman John Lewis and his paintings on vote casting rights. And he or she additionally emphasised the significance of the southern swing state.”Our collective freedoms are working all the way through Georgia,” she stated.- Michelle Baruchman2:05 p.m.: Trump supporters believe Kamala Harris’s riseTrump supporters had numerous reviews about how Kamala Harris’ emergence because the Democratic nominee would impact the presidential race.John Cherry, 75, from Buckhead, stated that he’s nervous in regards to the momentum Harris has gained within the first couple of weeks of her marketing campaign. However he thinks that it’ll no longer remaining.“The Democrat celebration is all fired up and excited,” Cherry stated. “Two weeks in the past Kamala was once the worst vp ever, now all of them love her. Perfect ever.”Dressed in a blouse emblazoned with former president Donald Trump elevating his fist after remaining month’s failed assassination strive, 43-year-old Andrea McLean stated she doubts Harris as a brand new opponent will impact the election’s consequence.“I believe there’ll be a honeymoon length,” McLean stated. “However I believe all in all, other folks will see her for what she is — if we will stay the web from erasing the entire historical past and issues she’s executed.”- Phoebe Quinton and Merrill Hart
Credit score: Phoebe QuintonCredit score: Phoebe Quinton1:40 p.m.: Hundreds of supporters line as much as see Trump in AtlantaThousands of Trump supporters waited to get into his rally at Georgia State College Saturday.Columbus resident Matthew Tayler, 33, drove into Atlanta at 6 a.m. to look former president Donald Trump at his first Georgia rally because the Republican Nationwide Conference. He stated Trump’s messaging will “completely” alternate within the wake of the brand new Democratic opponent, mentioning Kamala Harris’ distinctive trail to nomination.“I don’t assume they went about democracy the correct manner,” Taylor stated. “They stole it from the sitting president, the incumbent.”
Credit score: Seeger Grey / AJCCredit score: Seeger Grey / AJCBill Henderson, 51, was once amongst a bunch of Trump supporters status beneath the Atlanta Olympic Cauldron Tower. Henderson, in provide chain control, drove down from Athens to spend the evening. “I simply got here down to look the gang and other folks watch,” he stated. Henderson stated when Trump was once in place of work, “We didn’t have the price of dwelling will increase we now have now.” The Georgian stated he isn’t nervous in regards to the Democrats profitable this November. “Kamala appeals to the more youthful those who don’t actually do analysis,” Henderson stated.- Merrill Hart and Caleb Groves12:30 p.m.” Democrats educate volunteersAs Trump supporters coated up for his rally in downtown Atlanta, the Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign was once wrapping up coaching for volunteers who will canvas all over metro Atlanta.- Michelle BaruchmanAs former President Donald Trump prepares to land in Atlanta as of late, the @KamalaForGA marketing campaign is coaching volunteers to move out into metro Atlanta, knock on doorways and communicate to electorate. %.twitter.com/XCtK6XesyD— Michelle Baruchman (@mlbaruchman) August 3, 2024
12:08: Trump, Vance Atlanta rally follows Harris’ talk over with previous this weekFormer President Donald Trump will hang his first rally in Georgia along with his working mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, on the similar venue the place Vice President Kamala Harris headlined a raucous match previous this week.The back-to-back marketing campaign stops at Georgia State College’s convocation middle be offering a dramatic distinction because the rival campaigns scrap over one of the vital country’s best battlegrounds.Trump’s rally is ready to start out at 3 p.m. Vance is scheduled to talk at 4 p.m. adopted via Trump an hour later. Whilst maximum of Trump’s best Georgia allies are anticipated to wait, simply as notable are the high-profile GOP figures who’re skipping the development.Harris drew more or less 10,000 supporters to the downtown Atlanta middle on Tuesday, the most important Democratic crowd of this 12 months’s marketing campaign. Trump’s allies be expecting a equivalent target market to pack the venue on Saturday.The rally caps a momentous week as Trump sought to blunt Harris’ momentum via wondering her racial identification at a convention of Black reporters in Chicago.Harris, in the meantime, gained sufficient delegates all through on-line vote casting to protected the Democratic nomination, making her the primary Black girl and primary particular person of South Asian heritage to turn into a big celebration’s nominee.And he or she’s anticipated to announce her working mate via Tuesday, when she and her pick out headline a rally in Philadelphia after which kick off a swing via battleground states that features a Friday forestall in Savannah.- Greg Bluestein
