Former President Donald Trump is in Commerce, Georgia on Saturday, March 26 to host 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.
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.
Follow along below for live updates from the rally in North Georgia.
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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.
Trump was scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. As of 7:45 p.m., he has not taken the stage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check back throughout the day for updates.