Rally recap: Donald Trump talks Ukraine, Biden and trans athletes in Commerce, Ga.
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Former President Donald Trump finished his appearance in Commerce, Georgia on Saturday, March 26 at a "Save America Rally" at the Banks County Dragway, formerly home to the NHRA Southern Nationals.
Doors opened at 2 p.m. with the program beginning at 4 p.m. Trump was expected to speak at 7 p.m., according to rally organizers. He appeared around 8:15 p.m. and wrapped up about 9:45 p.m.
Several current Republican candidates or politicians spoke at the event. This includes former Sen. David Perdue, who is campaigning for the governor's seat, and former Georgia Bulldogs star and current U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker, according to the program's itinerary.
Other speakers included Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Andrew Clyde, and Jody Hice, who is running against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a May primary.
Here's a look back at the rally in North Georgia.
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9:50 p.m. | Trump wraps up rally after talking about trans athletes in women's sports
After about an hour and a half, Trump closed his appearance at the rally in Commerce.
One of his final topics centered on trans athletes in sports, a common refrain from the day. He brought up Lia Thomas, the college swimmer who won an NCAA championship in the 500-yard freestyle, and women's weightlifting, saying trans athletes competing in women's sports takes away women's rights.
He pumped his arms while dancing off the stage.
The standing crowd has already started thinning out as Trump wraps up with, “We will make America great again.”
— DJ Simmons (@Lynandro) March 27, 2022
9:20 p.m. | Trump drops F-bomb while talking about climate change, refers to nuclear as "N-word"
After more than an hour of other topics, Trump introduced his beliefs on climate change, using the F-word when mocking ocean water level changes. The crowd cheered for his use of the curse word.
Trump drops F-bomb while mocking climate change, remaining crowd goes wild. #gapol
— Jeff Amy (@jeffamy) March 27, 2022
Shortly after, Trump asked the crowd "You know what the N word is?” He was referring to "nuclear" and Russian President Vladimir Putin's "use" of the word.
9:10 p.m. | Herschel Walker, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz speak
Trump brought guests who spoke earlier in the day back onto the stage. Among them was UGA football star and Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, who thanked Trump for his support.
Vernon Jones came back up to speak to show Trump the "target on his back."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also came back to rally support to vote.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz also made an appearance to talk up Trump and Greene. He said he would nominate Trump as Speaker of the House if Republicans take back the House.
9 p.m. | Trump talks of 'bedlam and mayhem' in suburbs including Buckhead, Georgia
Trump bashed Joe Biden's policy regarding the Mexico border and pulling out of Afghanistan, as well as his policies regarding Ukraine.
He also said "people are afraid to walk down the street to buy bread" because of gun violence, mentioning Buckhead specifically, an Atlanta suburb.
8:15 p.m. | Trump arrives, calls Kemp a RINO
More than an hour after his scheduled speech time, Trump came on stage to his signature Lee Greenwood patriotic anthem.
“We have a big primary coming up right here in your state,” Trump said, calling Gov. Brian Kemp a "RINO," meaning Republican in name only, as he praises Perdue. “We’re going to save your state from the RINOs,” Trump said.
8 p.m. | Scene from movie "Patton" played in advance of Trump appearance
At 8 p.m. the "Americans love a winner" speech from the movie "Patton," 1970 American epic biographical war film, was played for those in attendance. The script from the speech can be found on americanrhetoric.com.
7:45 p.m. | Trump delayed
Trump was scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. As of 7:45 p.m., he has not taken the stage.
It’s almost time for Trump to speak here in Georgia and there’s probably no more than 5,000 people here, the smallest Trump rally I’ve ever covered here. Way less than the Perry rally in 2021 (closer to 10k) and nowhere close to 2020’s 20-30k+ #gapol pic.twitter.com/lokIiFONFC
— stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) March 26, 2022
6 p.m. | Awaiting Trump's arrival
Former Sen. David Perdue, who is running against Gov. Brian Kemp in the Georgia governor primary, wrapped up the speakers before Trump's arrival. The former president is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m., leaving a little more than an hour in between Perdue and Trump
5:30 p.m. | Herschel Walker takes the stage
Senate hopeful and former Georgia Bulldogs star Herschel Walker received significant crowd applause as he took the stage. Walker echoed Greene's remarks on gender and sports, saying "we need to get men out of women’s sports first of all."
Walker also went on to denounce Critical Race Theory as one of his central talking points.
“We’re Americans,” Walker to the crowd as he talks down on Critical Race Theory. “We’re not black, we’re not white. We’re mutts I hate to tell you that.”
— DJ Simmons (@Lynandro) March 26, 2022
5:20 p.m. | Marjorie Taylor Greene defends her eligibility for reelection, attacks Stacey Abrams, swimmer Lia Thomas
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene hit on a number of the recurring themes from previous speakers, but also took the time to defend her eligibility for reelection after a group of Georgia voters filed a challenge on Thursday indicating "she helped facilitate the riot that disrupted Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential election victory," according to the Associated Press.
More: 'They hate me': Marjorie Taylor Greene defends her place on Georgia ballot at Trump rally
Greene also took aim at Pete Buttigieg, saying he "can take his electric vehicles and his bicycles, and he and his husband can stay out of our girls' bathrooms."
She immediately followed the comments on Buttigieg with an attack on trans swimmer Lia Thomas. "We are going to kick the biological men out of women's sports," Greene said.
Greene went on to attack gubernatorial Stacey Abrams, saying Abrams "thinks she is president of Earth" and followed up saying she is "the Death Star," alluding to Abrams' recent TV appearances.
“We're gonna drill oil right here in the USA. Pete Buttigieg can take his electric vehicles and his bicycles and he can take them and he can stay out of our girls bathroom,” - MTG
“Let’s get men out of women’s sports,” - Herschel Walker— Stephanie Allen // Journalist (@StephMarie015) March 26, 2022
5 p.m. | Early speakers allege voter fraud, talk border security
During the first hour of speakers, the themes of election integrity and border security emerged. Insurance commissioner candidate Patrick Witt, Republican commentator Garland Favorito and attorney general hopeful John Gordon all took aim at alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election.
“The big lie is being promoted by big liars,” Favorito said.
District 10 congressional candidate Vernon Jones also echoed voter fraud claims.
Background: Nine Election Fraud Claims, None Credible
4:15 p.m. | Doug Collins takes aim at Stacey Abrams
Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins took the stage and spoke to the crowd about current Sen. Raphael Warnock and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
“I don’t want a pro choice pastor as the senator of Georgia,” Collins said.
“Stacey Abrams... [crowd boos] you weren't governor three years ago and you're not gonna be governor.”
4:05 p.m. | Pre-Trump program and speakers begin
The first speaker to take the stage is Todd Starnes, a conservative commentator who has appeared on Fox and Friends and Hannity.
“My fellow Patriots we are surrounded and the cultural bullets are flying,” Todd Starnes, a conservative commentator and the first speaker, said.
— DJ Simmons (@Lynandro) March 26, 2022
First up in preshow rally is conservative commentator Todd Starnes.
“Now, I want to say something about our great President Donald J. Trump. He loves America. He loves our troops. He loves Almighty God… and this is a man who knows his pronouns.” pic.twitter.com/RXQowlWvQO— stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) March 26, 2022
3:21 p.m. | Trump statement released
Trump's travel to Commerce is underway as a statement via the "Save America" PAC was emailed saying: "Getting ready to leave now. Hearing there are tremendous crowds in Commerce, Georgia, for our Save America Rally. Make America Great Again!
2:40 p.m. | Doors open, speakers list
Attendees were allowed to the enter the venue at 2 p.m. and the crowd began to fill up the space, which was ticketed via pre-registration. The following speakers are scheduled to speak during the program, which starts at 4 p.m.
David Perdue
State Sen. Burt Jones
Herschel Walker
Rep. Jody Hice
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Rep. Andrew Clyde
Vernon Jones
John Gordon
Patrick Witt
Tom Homan
Todd Starnes
Trump is slated to speak at 7 p.m.
The Banner-Herald team is inside now. Attendees are still being ushered through security in a long line pic.twitter.com/PrWHSehJdL
— Stephanie Allen // Journalist (@StephMarie015) March 26, 2022
1:40 p.m. | Perdue, Herschel signs aplenty outside Trump rally venue
As supporters wait for the doors to open at 2 p.m., campaign signs for Senate candidate and former Georgia Bulldogs star Herschel Walker as well as gubernatorial candidate David Perdue were seen around the grounds. Both Walker and Perdue have been endorsed by Trump and are expected to speak on Saturday.
11 a.m. | Supporters arrive to Banks County Dragway bright and early
Trump supporters were already on-site and lining up as of 10 a.m. Doors do not open until 2 p.m. Vendors surround the area selling t-shirts and other Trump merchandise.
On the ground at the Commerce drag strip covering today’s “Save America” Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/ZYd6BBnKqq
— Joshua L. Jones (@_joshljones) March 26, 2022
A Twitter List by DanRorabaugh
Check back throughout the day for updates.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Trump in Georgia | Recap from the 'Save America Rally' in Commerce