VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) — The City of Valdosta got national recognition on Dec. 5 with a visit from the president and his supporters.
Ahead of the Senate runoff, President Trump and the First Lady attended a rally at the Valdosta airport on Saturday to show support for Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, hosted by the RNC.
You can watch the rally below:
The Lowndes County GOP expected upwards of 40,000 people to attend.
Thousands were lined up across from the airport prior to the doors to the event opening.
Thousands of people are already waiting in line across from the airport. Doors open in 20 minutes, Airforce One is expected here at 7pm. @abc27 pic.twitter.com/s1jg1buWil
— Chantelle Navarro (@ChantelleABC27) December 5, 2020
First Lady Melania Trump kicked off Trump's arrival at the rally, hailing her husband's work overseas and at home with the American economy.
The First Lady also encouraged voters in Georgia to get out and vote for Senators Loeffler and Perdue before introducing President Trump.
"Do not let your voices be silenced. We must keep our seats in the Senate," the First Lady said. "It is more important than ever that your exercise your right as an American citizen, and vote."
Right out of the gate, President Trump began making false claims that he won Georgia's electoral votes. He also encouraged people to get out and vote to make sure that their vote counts.
"Very simply you will decide whether your children grow up in a socialist country or in a free country," Trump said. "Somehow that doesn't suit Georgia too well."
President Trump also took shots at Governor Brian Kemp, echoing sentiments he had been tweeting earlier Saturday and saying Kemp needed to be a "tougher" Republican.
"And you've got to make sure your Governor gets a lot tougher than he's been," Trump said. "He’s gotta get a lot tougher because at stake in this election is control of the U.S. Senate, and that really means control of this country."
But you never got the signature verification! Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding? At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do. #Transparency https://t.co/h73ZfjrDt3
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2020
President Trump contended that Gov. Kemp needed to ensure the election wasn't tampered with, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
"Your governor could stop it very easily, if he knew what the hell he was doing. He could stop it very easily," Trump asserted.
Between outlining his desires for America's future, President Trump also touted Senator Loeffler and Perdue's support of him.
"Over the past four years, David Perdue has been one of the toughest fighters for our America first agenda in Washington," said Trump. "On Jan. 5, you also need to vote for your incredible Republican senator Kelly Loeffler."
He slammed their rivals, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, as "radical Democrats."
Prior to Trump's arrival, both Senators Loeffler and Perdue took the stage to encourage Georgians to show up and vote.
"America is counting on us. We have to get the job done. If you get out and vote, we will win. If you don't vote, we will lose this country," said Sen. Loeffler.
Touting President Trump's work on the economy, Sen. Perdue said he and Loeffler have been fighting by Trump to create the "greatest economic turnaround."
"The truth is though, guys, the eyes of America are on us, on you, on Kelly Loeffler and on me. We’re the last line of defense," Sen. Perdue said. "What we have to do right now is get every vote out. If we win Georgia, we save America."
The run-off election in Georgia is set for January 5, 2021.
