Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) called former President Donald Trump the "loser" of the first Republican National Committee debate after he chose not to appear on stage for the event.
“I think the Trump campaign is making a big mistake by not being here," Kemp said on the "Ruthless" podcast in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, comparing the loss to the Super Bowl. "I feel like they’re in the situation the Falcons were in when it was 28-3."
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On the Ruthless podcast in Milwaukee, @GovKemp declares Donald Trump the “loser” of the night. “I think the Trump campaign is making a big mistake by not being here … I feel like they’re in the situation the Falcons were in when it was 28-3” in the Super Bowl. #gapol pic.twitter.com/eLC9rxDhYP
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 23, 2023
This is not the first time Kemp has criticized the former president. Following Trump's indictment out of Fulton County, Kemp posted on social media that the 2020 election "was not stolen" and directed voters to look ahead.
"The future of our country is at stake in 2024 and that must be our focus," Kemp said.
Kemp has also blasted Trump for refusing to sign the RNC pledge that confirms he will support the Republican presidential nominee no matter who it is, saying that the next election is too important for "political games."
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“Every Republican running for President would be better than Joe Biden," Kemp said. "Any candidate who does not commit to supporting the eventual nominee is putting themselves ahead of the future of our country."
Trump announced Sunday that he would not participate in the RNC debate, citing high polling numbers. Instead, viewers will hear from eight candidates: Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).