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Ossoff campaigns with anti-Trump message
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Senator Jon Ossoff campaigns in Georgia with anti-Trump message. His strategy targets Trump's sagging approval and weak challenger Mike Collins.
Background
Ossoff is the only Democratic senator up for re-election in a state Trump won in 2024. He has chosen not to moderate his message but instead to sharpen attacks on Trump and Republicans, betting on Trump's net-negative approval ratings in Georgia and a relatively weak Republican challenger, Mike Collins.
How it unfolded
- Aug 24, 2026At an Atlanta rally, Ossoff directly targeted Trump, mentioning aide Natalie Harp, drawing swift rebukes from the Trump campaign and White House.
- Aug 25, 2026The White House meltdown over scrutiny of Harp fueled national media coverage, with Ossoff's jab seen as striking a nerve.
- Aug 27, 2026NPR reports on Ossoff's formula to excite Democrats, highlighting his corruption-focused speeches and potential presidential bid.
- Aug 29, 2026NYT reports Ossoff's strategy of courting broad appeal with an anti-Trump message, noting his sharpened attacks and the factors behind it.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Trump campaign and White House labeled Ossoff's rhetoric 'sad' and politically motivated.
- Support
- Local Democratic organizers welcomed the sharper tone, viewing it as necessary to counter Republican messaging.
- Analysts
- Strategists in both parties regard Mike Collins as relatively weak, and Trump's approval in Georgia is net-negative.
Still unverified
The full text of Natalie Harp's letters to Trump was published by The Daily Beast, but their authenticity has not been independently verified.