Georgia Politics continue to lead the national conversation, Trump visits Marietta

MARIETTA, GA. – Inside the gym at Wheeler High School, to the right of large yellow letters that read “Wheeler Wildcats,” was a scoreboard. Months from the start of the basketball season, the scoreboard had only one job to do on this day: reflect the attitude of the guest of honor. 

The score was 45-47, and the team fouls and timeouts were set to 2 0 and 2 6 for either side.

The President of the United States arrived at the Cobb County school on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The President was in the Peach State, specifically in Cobb County, to talk about Trump Accounts, a government-backed investment account for families with small children. He managed to spend the majority of his time behind the podium on stage talking about everything from the war in Iran, which he referred to as a “skirmish,” Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who he called a Peewee Herman impersonator, Venezuela, oil prices, former United States President Joseph R. Biden, former United States President Barack Hussein Obama, and inherited the worst economy in “the history of this country” when he was reelected in 2024 and took office in January 2025.

Trump’s accounts didn’t make the first 25 minutes of his speech. But the affairs of the state of Georgia sure did. The President did mention the savings accounts before he left the stage.

Politics, particularly national politics, have found a home in Georgia. From crucial United States Senate seats up for grabs (See: Ossoff v. Jones 2026), to who will be the next governor of an all-important battleground state (See: Bottoms v. Jackson 2026), what happens in Georgia politics affects what takes place in Washington, D.C. 

The president spoke about jobs in Georgia, referring to Gwinnett County, where a factory is being built and will provide new jobs, as “Gwinnett, Georgia.” That is understandable since he doesn’t spend a lot of time in North Atlanta, Metro Atlanta, or anywhere else in the state. The last time a large crowd met to greet (or jeer) the President it was during the 2024 presidential campaign. A lame duck president at the moment, upon making his way on stage Trump joked that he was announcing his intentions of running for president again, he knows how important securing power political offices in Georgia are for the Republican Party.

In anticipation of the president’s visit, dozens of people lined along Holt Road holding and waving signs that read “If he had a heart we’d bless it,” “Make America Kind Again,” and“Y’all Means All.” Georgia State Patrol, Cobb County Sheriff Department, and Cobb County Police Department vehicles also lined the road around the school and miles from the school in anticipation of Trump’s arrival. People also set up tables where they sold MAGA hats and t-shirts. 

The atmosphere reminded this reporter of the times Trump campaigned in Georgia during the 2024 presidential campaign. Cobb County, though increasingly liberal year after year, remains a Republican stronghold, so it will always make sense for him to make a stop in what he and some of his guests for the day call “Trump Country.” 

This may be one reason Trump decided to speak about Trump Accounts in Cobb County, the third-largest county in the state by population, rather than in Fulton County, the largest county in the state. 

Republican State Senators, State Representatives, and former politicians took the stage to speak about the campaigns they are currently involved in, and then they mentioned Trump Accounts. That list includes former Senator Kelly Loeffler, Tim Fleming, and Greg Dolezal, who are running for secretary of state and lieutenant governor, respectively. 

Dolezal, who spoke the longest, said the current Presidential Administration and the Republican Party are “not only fighting to save America, we’re in a fight to save Western Civilization.” 

Republican gubernatorial candidate and businessman Rick Jackson also took the stage at Wheeler. As he stood side by side with the president, Jackson wore a matching red tie and navy suit. He is in the middle of campaigning for the governor’s seat, but dropped by the school to support Trump Accounts in what many people on the stage called “Trump Country.” 

“A child’s circumstances may explain where they start, but not where they finish,” Jackson said while explaining why he is in full support of the Trump accounts program. “This is more than an account; it means you are seen, and you are an investment.” 

Jackson also thanked Trump and First Lady, Melania Trump, for supporting foster care in the United States. Jackson said the President and his wife have “done more for the foster care system than any other president.” 

Jackson did not mention his gubernatorial opponent, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, during his time on stage. He stuck with the theme, at least this time. 

“I wasn’t supposed to be here,” he said.

Over the weekend, Jackson made the local news and the culture blogs after stopping by Black-owned restaurant Toast on Lenox to meet with the ownership team. Pictures from that meeting went viral on social media and resulted in some backlash for the Black business owners. All it seems to have done is become free publicity for Jackson’s campaign. 

Jackson may have attempted to alter his message by spending time in Black-owned businesses, he visited a barbershop last week, but his message to voters was clear when he was on stage with the current President of the United States.

“I’m going to be this guy’s favorite governor,” said Jackson. 

Both Jackson and Bottoms have been campaigning lately, with Jackson holding a small rally in Cleveland, Georgia, last week, and Bottoms in Savannah. The first debate between the candidates has not been announced yet.

Trump said Georgia has very qualified Republican candidates running for office, but if they don’t win, it doesn’t matter. “We have a lot of great candidates here, and they have to win by a lot, otherwise we’re going Communist.” 

A few moments later, referring to Communism, the President said, “With Communism, everything goes to shit.” 

Along with adult and teenage Trump supporters wearing MAGA hats, t-shirts, and buttons, there were children sitting on their parents’ laps. The joke, punctuated with a curse word, elicited loud pockets of laughter and applause.

Former Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and current Atlanta Braves executive Mike Plant took the stage alongside the President. Snither, a World Series winner and longtime baseball man, welcomed Trump to Cobb County.

“Thank you, Mr. President, and welcome to Marietta. As you can see, Braves Country is a real thing,” Snitker, also wearing a red tie, said. 

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