Georgia governor Brian Kemp snaps back at Trump after string of vicious attacks: 'Leave my family out of it'

Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp responded to Donald Trump after the former president went after Kemp and his wife in a vicious online attack, escalating the GOP rift in the battleground state ahead of Trump's attempt to flip Georgia back to red come November. 

'My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats - not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past,' Kemp wrote on X. 

'You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it,' he continued.

Kemp's post was in response to Trump's attack on Truth Social ahead of his rally in Atlanta on Saturday. 

'Brian Kemp should focus his efforts on fighting Crime, not fighting Unity and the Republican Party! His Crime Rate in Georgia is terrible, his Crime Rate in Atlanta is the worst, and his Economy is average,' Trump wrote ahead of thousands gathering for his speech.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp responded to Donald Trump's attacks telling the ex-president 'leave my family out of it' in a post on X

Trump then went after Kemp's wife and Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp.  

'He and his wife didn’t think he could win. I said, “I’m telling you you’re going to win.” Then he won, he was happy, and his wife said, “Thank you Sir, we’ll never be able to make it up to you!” Now she says she won’t Endorse me, and is going to “write in Brian Kemp’s name.” Well, I don’t want her Endorsement, and I don’t want his,' Trump wrote. 

Trump and Kemp have had a sticky relationship for years, but Trump's hostility toward the GOP governor escalated after Trump lost Georgia in 2020. 

The ex-president reportedly pressured the GOP governor to step in and find the votes to overturn the election results after President Biden won Georgia less than 12,000 votes. 

He has also expressed anger that Kemp has not helped him when it comes to the Fulton County case against him over election interference in Georgia. 

Trump wrote on Saturday that Kemp is a 'bad guy' as he faces another tight race in Georgia in November with Vice President Kamala Harris now at the top of the Democratic ticket. 

Trump went after Kemp multiple times during his Atlanta rally on Saturday after posting an attack on him and his wife on Truth Social ahead of the event

Republican Governor Brian Kemp responded to Trump's online attack after the ex-president went after his record in Georgia and wife

But despite Kemp calling on Trump to leave his family out of it, the ex-president was not done, and went after the Republican governor multiple times from the podium on Saturday night in Atlanta. 

'He’s a bad guy, he’s a disloyal guy and he’s a very average governor,' Trump said at one point. 

Trump also referred to Atlanta as 'like a killing field' and claimed Kemp should something about it. Homicide and other violent crimes in Atlanta dropped last year.

The ex-president also went after Kemp's wife again from the stage.

'I don’t want her endorsement. I don’t want his endorsement. I just want them to do their job for Georgia,' Trump said. He accused the couple of hindering his campaign, claiming 'in my opinion, they want us to lose.'

Kemp has said he did not vote for Trump in the Georgia presidential primary, but he did say prior to Trump's latest attacks that he would vote for the Republican ticket come November, acknowledging the ex-president won the primary and would top that ticket. 

Trump also went after the Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger saying he 'has to do his job, and make sure the Election is not stolen.' 

Raffensperger responded on X writing Georgia's elections are secure.

'The winner here in November will reflect the will of the people. History has taught us this type of message doesn’t sell well here in Georgia, sir,' he wrote.

Some Republicans responded to the feud in Georgia with frustration while others called for the party to come together. 

Senator Lindsey urged Republicans to 'repair the damage' in an interview on Fox News Sunday. 

'If we lose Georgia, it could be a very long night,' he said.