'One big family': Georgia Republicans react to first Trump speech since assassination attempt

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Republicans gathered in Sandy Springs, Ga., to watch former President Donald Trump's Republican National Convention speech Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Credit: Sarah Kallis / GPB News

Just days after an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, Georgia Republicans gathered at a Sandy Springs movie theater, just north of Atlanta, to watch the presidential nominee speak at the final night of the Republican National Convention. 

The theater filled with “MAGA” hat wearers, and as Trump came up to present his speech, a super chant of “U-S-A”  came to fruition in the theater along with the energy of the RNC

Trump appeared more somber as he accepted the presidential nomination at the convention and recounted the Saturday shooting at his rally in Butler, Pa., that left him with an injury to his right ear and a rallygoer dead.

During his speech, Trump, to pay homage, held a moment of silence for former fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was killed by the shooting at the rally and finished by kissing the slain man's uniform that was brought on stage.   

“I think that that has changed him a little bit," said Jamie Kuszai, a resident of Roswell, just north of Sandy Springs. "His rhetoric is a little bit more softer."

Trump promised that his speech would be ‘unifying’ and supporters in Sandy Springs said he delivered. 

"It was just a very positive, upbeat message," Kuszai said. "Everybody was engaged, even in our little section here. We were all in the back cheering and getting the crowd together, so it was really good. I felt like it was like one big family had come together."

Other supporters said it bolstered their approval for Trump. 

“If you unite this country for the best and really make everybody great for that purpose, I'm all for that,” Jose Rodriguez said. 

During his speech, Trump also focused on safety, foreign policy and immigration as his policy priorities.

Frank Giarratano from Atlanta said he is most concerned about safety, specifically terrorism threats.

“I want to know that we are as safe as we can," he said. "You know, nothing's going to be 100%, but we can definitely put in the effort to try."

When asked about Trump's vice presidential pick, J.D. Vance, many did not know much about him  

What I've seen, though, these last few days, seems, you know, he's definitely younger than we've had in a while,” Giarratano said.

The Democratic Party will hold its convention in late August in Chicago.