Donald Trump’s speech during his Saturday, August 3 rally in Atlanta, Georgia, did not land well with many Republicans. The former president once again aimed Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for their refusal to overturn the 2020 election in his favor.
Fox News‘ Laura Ingraham acknowledged on Monday that “a great crowd” turned out for the 2024 GOP nominee. However, she also suggested that Trump’s attacks on other Republican leaders could damage his campaign. “I’ve said this before, and I’m gonna say it again, shooting inside the tent right now of the Republican Party, that’s a loser strategy. It’s not gonna work. They tried that in 2020 and we lost two Senate seats. Then in 2022– it doesn’t work. You gotta focus on what they are doing to destroy this country,” Ingraham stated during her discussion with Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson.
Hanson agreed, noting, “Absolutely. Brian Kemp, whatever the disagreement, he’s already endorsed Trump. So it just– it doesn’t even do any good to go back and say that Joe Biden was the worst candidate in history because he’s not running anymore.”
A conservative activist described Trump’s jabs as “politically stupid,” highlighting the growing frustration within the party. A former Georgia congressman expressed similar sentiments to a local newspaper, saying, “A lot of Republicans like me might just decide not to vote at all in the presidential election because of stupid antics like tonight. Trump may have just lost Georgia.”
The criticism reflects a broader concern among some Republicans that infighting could weaken the party’s chances in future elections. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the impact of Trump’s rhetoric on his own party remains a contentious issue.