‘We will have a very good relationship’: Trump Reconciles with Kemp
Republicans in Georgia have expressed concerns regarding the impact of the former president's criticisms directed at the governor.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump made a significant shift in his tone regarding Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Thursday night, expressing gratitude for the governor’s support after previously labeling him a “bad guy” and “average governor.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged Kemp’s contributions, stating, “Thank you for all your help and support in Georgia where a win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country.” He added, “I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
This message was posted shortly after Kemp appeared on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, where he reaffirmed his commitment to electing Republicans across the board, including Trump. Kemp emphasized the need for Republicans to unite for victory, insisting, “We've got to win. We have to win from the top of the ticket down. I have been saying consistently, for a long time, we cannot afford another four years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and I think Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are going to be even worse.” He went on to express the need to “send Donald Trump back to the White House” and to maintain Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate.
Concerns have mounted in Georgia about how Trump's past criticisms of Kemp and his wife might affect his chances in the state. Recent polling shows a tightening race between Trump and Harris, prompting unease among some Georgia Republicans about the effectiveness of the GOP’s ground game and voter turnout.
Kemp, renowned for his strong campaign apparatus, noted that Republicans are actively engaging with voters by canvassing neighborhoods to rally support for the entire ticket. During his interview with Hannity, he addressed efforts to ensure election integrity, describing his expectation that the 2024 election would be “secure, accessible, and fair.” He referenced the Election Integrity Act he signed in 2021, which significantly reshaped Georgia's election laws, a point of contention after he resisted Trump's claims regarding the 2020 election results.
A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that “suppose [Trump] liked” Kemp’s appearance on Hannity's show, leading to Trump’s change in sentiment towards the governor.
Later that evening, in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump was asked if he was making a specific effort to mend fences with Kemp. Trump responded, “Well I just saw Brian … a very good man — did you ever hear of a man named Sean Hannity? And he was interviewed by Sean Hannity and he was very nice. He said he wants Trump to win and he's going to work with me 100 percent and I think we will have a very good relationship with Brian Kemp.”
Additionally, on Thursday afternoon, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, shared that he had spoken with Kemp earlier in the day and felt assured that Kemp “wants us to win, because he believes the policies of Kamala Harris are disastrous for this country.” Vance maintained confidence in Kemp’s support for the Republican ticket despite their previous disagreements.
Kemp's team clarified that his comments on Fox News reflected his consistent stance of supporting the nominee and striving to win Georgia. While he has not formally endorsed Trump during a contentious Republican primary, Kemp had previously indicated he would support the ticket in the fall, regardless of who emerges as the GOP nominee.
In the months since Harris ascended to the Democratic ticket, Trump’s polling lead in Georgia has diminished, leading to a nearly tied race with Harris. In response, the Trump campaign is committing over $20 million to advertising efforts in Georgia, while the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. has included the state in a larger $100 million ad campaign targeting battleground areas.
This newfound reconciliation between Trump and Kemp appears to be anticipated by seasoned Republican operatives in Georgia, who recently noted that a partnership between the two was likely given their common interests. Just weeks ago at Mar-a-Lago, Trump acknowledged having a role in Kemp’s election victory while expressing the desire to “love to see [his relationship with Kemp] get repaired.”
Earlier this month, Kemp reiterated at a political summit that his support for Trump remained unchanged despite external commentary, stating, “Despite all of that noise, my position has not changed.” He added, “I said a long time before the presidential primary ever started … that I was going to support the nominee and we were going to use our political operation to win Georgia.” This sentiment was similarly echoed during a private fundraiser for Senate Republicans, as shared by Senator Lindsey Graham.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a post on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged Kemp’s contributions, stating, “Thank you for all your help and support in Georgia where a win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country.” He added, “I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
This message was posted shortly after Kemp appeared on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, where he reaffirmed his commitment to electing Republicans across the board, including Trump. Kemp emphasized the need for Republicans to unite for victory, insisting, “We've got to win. We have to win from the top of the ticket down. I have been saying consistently, for a long time, we cannot afford another four years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and I think Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are going to be even worse.” He went on to express the need to “send Donald Trump back to the White House” and to maintain Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate.
Concerns have mounted in Georgia about how Trump's past criticisms of Kemp and his wife might affect his chances in the state. Recent polling shows a tightening race between Trump and Harris, prompting unease among some Georgia Republicans about the effectiveness of the GOP’s ground game and voter turnout.
Kemp, renowned for his strong campaign apparatus, noted that Republicans are actively engaging with voters by canvassing neighborhoods to rally support for the entire ticket. During his interview with Hannity, he addressed efforts to ensure election integrity, describing his expectation that the 2024 election would be “secure, accessible, and fair.” He referenced the Election Integrity Act he signed in 2021, which significantly reshaped Georgia's election laws, a point of contention after he resisted Trump's claims regarding the 2020 election results.
A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that “suppose [Trump] liked” Kemp’s appearance on Hannity's show, leading to Trump’s change in sentiment towards the governor.
Later that evening, in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump was asked if he was making a specific effort to mend fences with Kemp. Trump responded, “Well I just saw Brian … a very good man — did you ever hear of a man named Sean Hannity? And he was interviewed by Sean Hannity and he was very nice. He said he wants Trump to win and he's going to work with me 100 percent and I think we will have a very good relationship with Brian Kemp.”
Additionally, on Thursday afternoon, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, shared that he had spoken with Kemp earlier in the day and felt assured that Kemp “wants us to win, because he believes the policies of Kamala Harris are disastrous for this country.” Vance maintained confidence in Kemp’s support for the Republican ticket despite their previous disagreements.
Kemp's team clarified that his comments on Fox News reflected his consistent stance of supporting the nominee and striving to win Georgia. While he has not formally endorsed Trump during a contentious Republican primary, Kemp had previously indicated he would support the ticket in the fall, regardless of who emerges as the GOP nominee.
In the months since Harris ascended to the Democratic ticket, Trump’s polling lead in Georgia has diminished, leading to a nearly tied race with Harris. In response, the Trump campaign is committing over $20 million to advertising efforts in Georgia, while the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. has included the state in a larger $100 million ad campaign targeting battleground areas.
This newfound reconciliation between Trump and Kemp appears to be anticipated by seasoned Republican operatives in Georgia, who recently noted that a partnership between the two was likely given their common interests. Just weeks ago at Mar-a-Lago, Trump acknowledged having a role in Kemp’s election victory while expressing the desire to “love to see [his relationship with Kemp] get repaired.”
Earlier this month, Kemp reiterated at a political summit that his support for Trump remained unchanged despite external commentary, stating, “Despite all of that noise, my position has not changed.” He added, “I said a long time before the presidential primary ever started … that I was going to support the nominee and we were going to use our political operation to win Georgia.” This sentiment was similarly echoed during a private fundraiser for Senate Republicans, as shared by Senator Lindsey Graham.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
