The News: Former President Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently exchanged heated remarks on social media, highlighting ongoing tensions both between the two politicians and within the Republican Party.
Trump began a rant on Truth Social with a criticism of Georgia elections chief Brad Raffensperger, worked his way to Brian Kemp, and then began a tirade about Kemp’s wife. Kemp responded to the post on Twitter by telling Trump — in a professional way — to leave his wife out of it.
The Players: Donald Trump, former President of the United States, and Brian Kemp, the Governor of Georgia.
The Stage: The exchange took place on social media, where Trump posted a message accusing Kemp of neglecting party unity and failing to address crime rates in Georgia, particularly in Atlanta.
The Accusation: Trump alleged that Kemp should be grateful for his past endorsement, which Trump claims was crucial for Kemp’s victory over Stacey Abrams in the gubernatorial race. Trump also pointed out high crime rates as an area Kemp should be focusing on instead of challenging him.
The Response: Kemp retorted by emphasizing his priorities for the upcoming elections and criticized Trump’s approach. Kemp stated, “My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats – not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past.” Kemp also requested that his family be left out of political disputes.
The Posts: You can read both posts for yourself below.
The Aftermath: This public spat underscores a broader rift within the GOP as it navigates internal conflicts ahead of significant electoral challenges. Both figures remain influential, and their public disagreement could impact party unity and strategy.
A Complicated History: Trump has consistently criticized Kemp for not supporting efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Trump endorsed Kemp’s opponent, David Perdue, in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, attempting to unseat Kemp in retaliation for his perceived disloyalty.
Kemp maintained his stance on upholding the integrity of the election process, focusing instead on state issues such as economic development and public safety. Despite Trump’s opposition, Kemp defeated Perdue in the primary and went on to win reelection against Stacey Abrams, showcasing his ability to secure victories without Trump’s backing.
Even before their heated dispute over the 2020 Election Results, Trump and Kemp had an on-again-off-again relationship. When Kemp returned Georgia to work early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump publicly lambasted him for not following the administration’s COVID-19 recovery plans.
Despite their very public differences, both Kemp and Trump are able to maintain their popularity among Georgia Republicans.
About The Public Record: This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting statements by public officials called The Public Record, where we present recent quotes and actions of public officials or candidates. You may not be able to attend every public meeting or see every occasion where your representatives speak, but you still have a right to know what your representatives and those who hope to represent you have been saying.
“Because public men and women are amenable ‘at all times’ to the people, they must conduct the public’s business out in the open.” -Charles L. Weltner Sr., former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court
