ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump, during a rally at the Georgia Institute of Technology, criticized Democrats for what he termed “disgusting” rhetoric as he targeted a range of opponents, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The rally, held just a week ahead of the pivotal November 5 election, aimed to energize Georgia voters crucial to both Trump’s and Harris’s electoral strategies.
Kicking off his roughly 75-minute speech, Trump declared, “We love Georgia,” to enthusiastic cheers. Georgia is one of the seven swing states that both candidates view as essential to their paths to victory, especially after Trump narrowly lost the state to President Biden in 2020.
Trump’s closing pitch to voters touched on various themes, including immigration, tax proposals, and nostalgic references, while also featuring a notable focus on transgender issues.
Anti-Transgender Messaging
In the final days of the campaign, Trump’s team intensified their focus on Harris’s stance regarding the transgender community. At the rally, Trump described transgender issues as a “big thing,” asserting, “We don’t want transgender operations all over the place… We don’t want men playing in women’s sports.” This messaging appears aimed at rallying his base, even though recent polls indicate that transgender rights are not a priority for most voters.
Response to Harris’s Criticism
Trump defended himself against comparisons made by Democrats that likened his rhetoric to that of Nazis. Harris labeled Trump a “fascist” after remarks from his former chief of staff. In response, Trump condemned what he called “outrageous rhetoric,” stating, “This is the kind of language that has resulted in two assassination attempts in the last three months.”
Despite his denunciation of the attacks, Trump referred to Harris as “a fascist,” while she argued that his focus on grievances is divisive.
Tax Cuts for Caregivers
Trump proposed tax cuts that would benefit family caregivers, announcing a new tax credit for those caring for elderly family members. “They deserve it,” he told the crowd, appealing to seniors and women, who represent a significant portion of unpaid caregivers. In contrast, Harris has promised to extend Medicare to cover in-home care costs for seniors.
Nostalgia for the MAGA Era
Reflecting on his political journey, Trump noted, “We’ve been doing this together for nine years,” hinting at the potential end of his campaigning days. He emphasized the significance of his movement and the challenges future Republican candidates may face in matching his support.
Critique of Michelle Obama
Trump responded to comments made by Michelle Obama, who criticized him as “erratic” and in “obvious mental decline.” Trump labeled her remarks as a “big mistake,” though he did not elaborate further.
Immigration Focus
Trump maintained his longstanding focus on immigration, criticizing Biden and Harris’s policies while referencing the tragic death of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student. He linked the incident to violent crimes committed by immigrants, despite studies indicating that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens.
Mobilizing Voters
With Georgia’s race appearing close, Trump emphasized the importance of voter turnout, conducting a live poll to gauge who had already voted. “We can’t take any chances,” he urged his supporters, particularly during a religious summit earlier that day, where he rallied Christian voters to make their voices heard at the polls.
