Trump rally in Dalton targets rivals as voting begins

I call him Pee-wee Herman. Pee-wee Herman. Looks like Pee-wee. His name is John Ossoff, highly overrated. And we're going to send Mike Collins to the United States Senate. President Trump returned to Georgia today, rallying in Dalton for Senate candidate Mike Collins and gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson. Republicans hoping the president's visit will boost turnout, but that it could be complicated by his approval rating, which is at an all-time low. Fox 5's Rob Durienzo has more on the visit. Hello, Georgia, and hello, Dalton. We like Dalton a lot President Trump backing conservative Northwest Georgia Friday evening to excite his base. In this critical swing state, Republicans are focused on flipping Democratic Senator John Ossoff's seat back to red. 18 days from now, the people of Georgia are going to defeat your weak, arrogant, hate-filled, radical left senator, Pee Wee Herman. It's John Ossoff. He looks like Pee Wee Herman. But recent polls have showed Congressman Mike Collins lagging behind Senator Ossoff. On stage, Collins emphasizing he is a Trump loyalist. Sir, we appreciate your leadership, your backbone. You're standing up for America and putting America first. Billionaire Rick Jackson, who's running for governor, had more measured praise for the president. And there's never been a president that has done more for foster children that are abused and neglected than this man here. Meanwhile, President Trump painted a grim picture of Atlanta, blaming Jackson's Democratic opponent for her tenure as mayor here. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms destroyed Atlanta with her crime and filth and constant riots. The latest numbers from Atlanta police show most violent crime rates are at all-time lows. But the president's insults weren't just directed at Democrats. He was in the backyard of former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a staunch ally of the president. She now has this nickname. Marjorie Taylor Brown. You know why I call her that? Because green turns to brown under stress. In the speech, President Trump also repeated debunked claims that his 2020 election loss here in Georgia to former President Joe Biden was rigged. In the past, he's come after Georgia Republicans for not overturning the results of that election. Notably absent from Friday's rally, outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp. President Trump will be back here in Georgia next weekend, holding a rally in Macon. In Atlanta, Rob DiRienzo, Fox 5 News. Now, ahead of the president's rally in Dalton, John Ossoff called on his Republican opponent, Mike Collins, to disband his so-called convoy captains. Ossoff alleges some of the people in that group have links to the Ku Klux Klan or face criminal charges. In his statement, Ossoff says, quoting here, these are people that the congressman has elevated to leadership roles in his campaign. And I am calling on him to disband this convoy captain's program, which has brought dishonor to our state and may pose some kind of threat to public safety. Meantime, the Democratic Party of Georgia held a news conference in Atlanta today. Leaders said it's a good thing that the president came to Georgia so he can take credit for the economy they say he created. They blame him for price hikes at the grocery store and the gas pump. The Trump-Collins-Jackson ticket ought to take credit. They ought to take credit for what they've done to the people of Georgia, what they've done to the people of this country, and the back-breaking, cost-raising, foolish agenda that has made the American dream less attainable now in our great state than it's been in over two decades. Democrats accuse Rick Jackson and Mike Collins of kissing up to the president. They say Rick Jackson promises to be like President Trump and point to the House ethics investigation of Mike Collins. Georgians are showing up at the polls in a big way. More than 190,000 ballots were cast on Tuesday, the first day of early voting. That was a record for a midterm. And 55,000 more than on opening day four years ago in 2022. As of today, more than 631,000 people have voted in person early and more than 27,000 absentee ballots have been accepted. A majority of those voters, more than 54 percent, are women. And as early voting continues across Georgia, grassroots groups are rallying to get out the vote. More than 40 nonpartisan No Kings events are scheduled statewide tomorrow. Organizers are focusing on voter turnout and election protection efforts ahead of the upcoming midterms. For a look at all the locations, head to fox5atlanta.com and click on No Games.