President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan in a Truth Social post published just after 1 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, August 8, following Duncan’s announcement earlier this week that he had switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party.
Trump described Duncan as a “total loser” and declared “Good riddance Geoff. You don’t even have a chance!!!” The president also claimed that Duncan was never able to get anything done and that all he ever did was complain. Trump further stated that the Republican Party no longer wanted Duncan and suggested this led to his decision to become a Democrat.
Duncan, who served as Georgia’s lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2023, made his party switch official through an op-ed published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday, August 6. The piece was headlined “From Republican Lt. Governor To Democrat: Loving My Neighbor Is Easier Now.” Duncan indicated that his decision was centered around his daily struggle to love his neighbor as a Republican and that there was no specific date that marked the exact moment he decided to change parties.
Duncan explained that his decision began brewing well before Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. He criticized recent Republican decisions to cut SNAP benefits and slash Medicaid funding, stating these actions go against his Christian faith. He also condemned Republican immigration policies, describing military-style raids on undocumented but law-abiding families as heartless and pointless.
Duncan was expelled from the Georgia Republican Party in January after endorsing President Joe Biden during his 2024 re-election campaign and later supporting Vice President Kamala Harris when Biden withdrew from the race. Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon had instructed Duncan to stop using his Republican credentials in public and media appearances following his expulsion from the party.
This was not Trump’s first public criticism of Duncan. On August 3, 2024, Trump had called for Duncan to be thrown out of the Georgia GOP, describing him as a “bum” and a “total lightweight.” Trump criticized Duncan’s work at CNN and claimed his sole function was to attack him. The president also took aim at Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, suggesting Kemp would never have become governor without Trump’s support.
Duncan has been a frequent Trump critic, particularly regarding the events of January 6, 2021, and the 2020 election aftermath. In 2023, he stated that Trump has a moral compass more like an ax murderer than a president. Duncan has also described the current Republican Party as being completely controlled by Trump, comparing it to a rogue cult leader taking over a church and brainwashing its members.
The former lieutenant governor spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, where he received a standing ovation. During his remarks, Duncan stated that Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election disqualified him from ever setting foot in the Oval Office again. He described the current Republican Party as chaotic and crazy rather than civil or conservative, and urged fellow Republicans to dump Trump.
Duncan told convention attendees that the party now acts more like a cult worshiping a felonious thug. He looked directly into the camera to address Republican viewers at home, telling them that voting for Harris in 2024 would make them patriots, not Democrats. His comments prompted chants of “USA” from the convention crowd.
In interviews with Atlanta PBS affiliate WABE, Duncan indicated he has been receiving encouragement from Democrats, independents, and some Republicans to consider seeking higher office. He expressed willingness to seriously consider running for office again, potentially as a Democrat. There is speculation that Duncan could run for governor in 2026 when current Governor Kemp will be term-limited and unable to seek re-election.
Duncan joins a growing list of former Republican officials who endorsed Harris over Trump. In September 2024, more than 100 former Republican officials and members of Congress signed a letter published by The New York Times endorsing Harris, citing concerns about Trump’s affinity for authoritarian leaders and chaotic decision-making.
Duncan, who is currently a CNN contributor, voted for Trump in 2020 but became increasingly critical after the election. He chose not to seek re-election as lieutenant governor, while other Georgia Republicans who faced Trump’s criticism, including Governor Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, won re-election overwhelmingly in 2022 despite Trump’s attacks.