In Gwinnett County, Trump doubles down on border rhetoric

Caption

Country singer Jason Aldean spoke at Trump's rally in Duluth, Ga., on Oct. 23, 2024.

Credit: PBS News Hour / YouTube

Former President Donald Trump made his case to voters in Duluth, northeast of Atlanta, on Wednesday, less than two weeks before Election Day.

Trump addressed an enthusiastic crowd of thousands Wednesday night at a joint rally with conservative group Turning Point USA held at the Gas South Arena in Gwinnett County. .

Gwinnett voter Eric Hodge was one of the attendees. Trump is the first Republican he voted for in 2016, and he's been a supporter since. 

"He's not a politician; he's a businessman," he said. "And so that's what we want. We want somebody who's not a politician who can stand up to the to the swamp and not worry. You know, he's taken a bullet for us." 

Roberta Lemon, another Gwinnett voter, came to the rally to show Trump her support. 

"I've voted for him all three times and I will vote for him every time," she said. "If he was in prison, I would still be voting for him." she said. 

Georgia country music star Jason Aldean was one of several people who spoke before Trump.

“He’s a president who when knocked down, gets back up, raises his fist up and says, 'Fight,'” Aldean said in his endorsement.

TV personality Tucker Carlson, former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also addressed the crowd.

Trump spent much of his speech doubling down on anti-immigrant rhetoric. He blamed the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley on White House border policies. He also called for the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of killing U.S. citizens, and falsely claimed the U.S. is "an occupied territory."

“Immediately upon taking oath of office, I will release the largest deportation program in American history,” Trump said.

Trump also said he will lower taxes, reduce regulations on business and increase fracking and drilling.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to hold her own Atlanta area rally with former President Barack Obama this week, as well.