For the first time since 1992, the state of Georgia awarded its 16 electoral votes to a Democratic presidential candidate after President-elect Joe Biden beat incumbent Donald Trump in the state by around 13 thousand votes.
Steadfast in his refusal to acknowledge the reality that Biden defeated him, Trump has broadcast lies about widespread election fraud in Georgia to his millions of Twitter followers, frequently skewering Republican officials in the state like Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
The Peach State's election systems implementation manager, Gabriel Starling, admonished Trump at a recent press conference for refusing to condemn death threats and promises of violence aimed toward Georgia election workers.
Nevertheless, Trump continues to berate the Governor as Trump's legal team works to overturn the results in Georgia and other swing states.
The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification, which would give us an easy win. What's wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2020
Georgia election officials verify signatures as ballots are received before separating the ballots from their signed envelopes in order to protect the secrecy of each person's vote.
What's more, Kemp doesn't have the legal authority to demand a signature audit, as the governor is prohibited from interfering in the state's elections. Kemp has called for Raffensperger to conduct a signature audit, however, but only a court can grant this clearance.
Trump asked his followers "What's wrong with this guy?" but he likely wasn't a fan of the answers he received.
If I had to guess, he's probably hiding frustration, contempt and regrets at being put in an impossible position by the President who is potentially torpedoing the next decade of GOP politics in Georgia? https://t.co/jwTuZ8jHlA
— stephen fowler covers Georgia's election! (@stphnfwlr) December 7, 2020
Trump knows they did three recounts in GA. He also knows that they already did signature verification but can't do it again once the ballots are removed from the envelope. So, he is purposely asking for something that can't be done, not to win, but to claim permanent victimhood. https://t.co/ZCz1fQUPnE
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) December 7, 2020
NOTHING. He's hiding nothing. pic.twitter.com/HXlwakVv4a
— OhNoKellyO (@oyllek) December 7, 2020
What's wrong with this guy? He's not Moscow Mitch or one of your other patsies.
— Heath J Boston (@HeathJBoston1) December 7, 2020
"What's wrong with this guy?"
The question that most Americans are asking about you.
— Frank Carfora (@FrankCarfora) December 7, 2020
Trump refuses to release his tax returns. What's wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?
Trump has never released any of his medical records. What's wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?
Trump hides his academic records. What's wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?
— Dexter (@DexterBoiGenius) December 7, 2020
But some of the President's supporters believe his lies.
In my opinion, you can ignore this guy and declare martial law. Only this way, USA can have new free elections. You have unlimited power as American President. https://t.co/wP4mynarqA
— greecefree (@greecefree2) December 7, 2020
@realDonaldTrump his involvement in the corruption!! Both OUR governor and our Secretary of State Have turned their backs on all law abiding taxpaying voting Republicans in Georgia! I am only 1 of the thousands of pissed off Georgia voters!#WePayThereSalary #FeelingBETRAYED https://t.co/gOtDbTOr0G
— Kim (@Kim57014827) December 7, 2020
Gov. Kemp @BrianKempGA, if you do not do the right thing for America NOW you will NEVER hold any kind of office again. Not even for dog catcher! We The People DEMAND SIGNATURE VERIFICATION!!! You will lose if you turn your back on the American people!
DO YOUR JOB!!!!!!!😠 https://t.co/1SX2g6nfVh
— 🇺🇸T¥R¥UMP_AMERICA🇺🇸 (@Trump_WinsAgain) December 7, 2020
The doubts Trump has sown regarding election integrity in Georgia may backfire on the Republican party. There are two Senate runoff races in the state. Republicans must win at least one to maintain control of the Senate.
Some pro-Trump figures are already calling for Georgia Republicans to sit out of the runoffs in protest of what they erroneously believe is election fraud.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram