Donald Trump, Gov. Brian Kemp spar with words across social media

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp responded on X, formerly Twitter, to insults thrown at him and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger by former president Donald Trump earlier in the day Saturday on Truth Social, the Trump-owned social media network.

"My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats — not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past," Kemp replied to Trump's message. "You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it."

The response was to Trump's attack on Kemp's crime rate, 'average economy', and claim that Trump supported Kemp to beat Stacey Abrams twice when "He and his wife didn't think he could win."

Trump stated in his post: "I said, 'I'm telling you you're going to win.' then he won, he was happy, and his wife said, 'Thank you Sir, we'll never be able to make it up to you!' Now she says she won't Endorse me, and is going to 'write in Brian Kemp's name.' Well, I don't want her Endorsement, and I don't want his. They're the ones who got (Fulton County District Attorney) Fani Willis and her boyfriend all 'jazzed up' and ready to go. He could have ended that travesty with a phone call, but he doesn't want to end it because he's the bad guy."

Trump doubled back by attacking Kemp and crime during a rally Saturday in Atlanta, saying "Atlanta is like a killing field, and your governor ought to get off his ass to do something."

Trump has sparred with Kemp and Raffensperger since the 2020 election when he fell in Georgia to Joe Biden by just 11,779 votes. Trump questioned the results and claimed voter fraud in the state, to which Raffensperger held his ground about secure elections in the state with the support of Kemp.

"Brad Raffensperger has to do his job, and make sure this Election is not stolen," Trump's Truth Social post said. "Brian Kemp should focus his efforts on fighting Crim, not fighting Unity and the Republican Party!"

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Donald Trump, Gov. Brian Kemp spar with words across social media