Former US President Donald Trump and Georgia governor Brian Kemp are set to make a joint appearance on Friday for the first time in four years, amidst the recovery efforts following the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene in the United States. The two prominent Republicans will be briefed on storm damage in Evans, Georgia, and are expected to address the press during their visit, as reported by Fox News.
This event marks the first time Trump and Kemp have been seen together since their tense relationship following the 2020 presidential election The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has been severe, with the death toll exceeding 220, hundreds still missing, and over 800,000 residents across seven states without power or running water. Damage from the storm is estimated to be in billions.
The duo’s history is marked by Trump’s ongoing criticism of Kemp for his refusal to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, where Trump lost by a narrow margin. Trump supported a 2022 primary challenge against Kemp from former senator David Perdue. However, after Kemp won the primary and was re-elected, Trump eased his criticism.
During an Atlanta rally in August, Trump called Kemp a “bad guy” and “disloyal” while blaming him for not preventing the indictment against him by a county prosecutor. Just weeks later, Trump surprised many by praising Kemp in a post on X, saying, “I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
With Trump engaged in a tight presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris, both he and Kemp have publicly critiqued the federal government’s response to the disaster. In a social media post, Trump said, “It is going down as the WORST & MOST INCOMPETENTLY MANAGED ‘STORM,’ AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, EVER SEEN BEFORE,” as Harris toured Georgia to meet with local officials and storm victims.
Georgia is a vital battleground state for the 2024 election, scheduled for November 5, and Trump is seeking the support of Brian Kemp. In an interview, Kemp stated, “There’s no path for former President Trump or any Republican to reach 270 [electoral votes] without Georgia.” He highlighted his dedication to mobilising Republican voters, asserting, “We need to be telling people why they should vote for us.”