MACON, Ga. — With less than 48 hours before the polls open on election day, Donald Trump called upon the people of Georgia to help him secure another term as president during a 1.5-hour speech.
He described his competitor Kamala Harris’ time as vice president as a failure — and painted himself as the man to solve it.
“You have to do one little thing,” Trump said. “I don’t want your money, I don’t want anything. The only thing I want is to get out and vote, get out to vote, finish it.”
After falling behind schedule earlier in the day, Trump took the stage at Macon's Atrium Health Amphitheater 1.5 hours late. But Trump was greeted with raucous applause and chants of “U.S.A.” as he took the podium at around 8 p.m.
“I’ll tell you, I love this state – I love Georgia,” Trump said. “I’m thrilled to be back in this incredible place.”
Coming off two rallies earlier in the day, Trump’s voice was noticeably weak, but Trump made the case that the Biden Administration has weakened the country and that re-electing him would improve the lives of Americans.
“Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Trump asked. “With your vote on Tuesday, I will end inflation, will stop the invasion of criminals coming into this country and I will bring back the American dream.”
Before Trump made it to Macon, over 13 speakers took the stage. Many argued conservatives are being persecuted and looked down upon by the left, pointing to Trump’s ongoing legal cases in New York, Georgia and by the Department of Justice as evidence of that.
Criticizing the Joe Biden Administration and Vice President Kamala Harris, the speakers teed up Trump as the solution to the problems facing the United States.
“This is all you need to know: Kamala broke it, and I will fix it,” Trump said.
On top of criticizing the “incompetency” of Harris’ term in office, Trump argued that “open borders” have led to criminals crossing the border, claiming migrants are taking jobs from Americans and creating crime.
He singled out two cases of illegal immigrants accused of killing Georgians: the deaths of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez and Laken Riley. Trump sought to tie those cases to Harris, who served as the Biden administration’s “Border Czar.”
The man accused of killing Laken Riley on the University of Georgia’s campus back in February is an illegal immigrant. Riley's death served as a flash point in the national conversation around immigration and crime.
Rodriguez-Ramirez — who was known as “Mimi” to her friends and family — was killed on Tuesday after being abducted at a Walmart in Habersham County, Trump said.
Real estate investor Steve Witkoff spoke, announcing a donation to Rodriguez-Ramirez's family through fundraising.
Rodriguez-Ramirez’s mother, Carmen Ramirez was brought up to the stage with a blanket saying "Don't blame us we voted for Trump." She spoke to the crowd and offered her endorsement of Trump.
“I lost my daughter but I didn’t lose my faith,” she said. “I know Donald Trump is the best choice for the U.S. — and not the best choice, but he’s the only one who can save our country.”
Trump also called for the death penalty for any illegal immigrant who kills an American citizen or law enforcement officer.
While Trump said he believed immigration is the top issue, Trump also honed in on the economy and inflation, as voters rank the cost of living as a major issue heading into the election.
“We’re going to turn this economic nightmare into an economic miracle,” Trump said.
He also reemphasized his desire to stop tax on tips, overtime and social security. To help fight inflation, Trump said he wants to tap into more oil reserves to help fight inflation, which he dubbed “liquid gold.”
Georgia has been at the top of mind for both Republican and Democratic campaigns, with candidates crisscrossing the state making their case to voters.
Harris was campaigning in Atlanta on Saturday, the same day that Jill Biden campaigned in Macon.
But Trump argued that it was time to vote out Harris and put him back in office.
“Kamala, you’re fired,” Trump said. “Get out – you’re fired.”