Live updates: President Donald Trump holds rally in Perry ahead of Election Day
President Donald Trump is visiting Perry Saturday night.
PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – President Donald Trump is visiting Perry on Saturday, October 24, for a rally ahead of the November midterm elections.
The rally is scheduled to take place at Guardian Centers, located at 600 Perry Parkway. Doors are scheduled to open at 3:30 p.m., with the event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Trump is expected to deliver remarks at 7 p.m.
The rally was originally scheduled to take place in Macon before being moved to Perry.
41NBC is on the ground in Perry, covering the event as supporters gather ahead of the president’s arrival.
Check back here throughout the day for live updates from 41NBC.
6:18 p.m. Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler took the stage at Guardian Centers in Perry, encouraging attendees to vote in the November midterm elections.
Loeffler began her remarks by criticizing the news media, asking attendees to cheer for what she called the “fake news” outlets covering the event.
She encouraged supporters to take 20 minutes to vote, framing the upcoming election as a choice between “America first or America forgotten.”
Loeffler also praised President Donald Trump’s policies on manufacturing, immigration and election security.
“President Trump is replacing made in China with made in America,” Loeffler said.
She urged attendees to support Republican candidate Rick Jackson and described the election as a choice between “commonsense or crazy.”
Loeffler concluded by declaring that Georgia was “Trump country.”
6:08 p.m. Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Collins took the stage at Guardian Centers, criticizing Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff ahead of their November election matchup.
“I’m just an old blue collar trucker from Georgia,” Collins told the crowd.
Collins criticized Ossoff’s background, describing him as “a guy that wants to talk like Obama, look like a Kennedy, lie like Pinocchio.”
He also accused Ossoff of contributing to government shutdowns over disagreements involving immigration, health care and funding for immigration enforcement agencies.
Collins emphasized his working-class background and support for Trump’s “America First” agenda.
As he spoke, more supporters continued entering the venue, with some standing as seating areas filled.
The crowd broke into chants of “USA! USA!” during his remarks.
Collins encouraged attendees to vote in the upcoming election, prompting the crowd to chant, “Vote! Vote! Vote!”
5:57 p.m. U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican representing Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, addressed supporters at President Donald Trump’s rally in Perry.
Scott criticized immigration policies under former President Joe Biden, claiming millions of people entered the country illegally during his administration.
He also criticized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, calling them “exclusion, not inclusion.”
Scott discussed federal spending overseas, prompting boos from some attendees.
“America is better than that,” Scott said.
He praised Trump’s handling of border security, tax policies and the military while also criticizing Democrats.
Supporters continued entering Guardian Centers during Scott’s remarks, with some standing inside the venue.
5:53 p.m. Houston Gaines, the Republican nominee for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, took the stage at Guardian Centers in Perry.
Gaines referenced the University of Georgia’s football game against Florida, comparing the possibility of a football victory to a Republican victory in the November elections.
He also mentioned Democratic political figure Keisha Lance Bottoms, prompting boos from the crowd.
Gaines encouraged supporters to participate in early voting and bring others to the polls.
“We need everyone we know to get out and vote,” Gaines said.
5:49 p.m. Jim Kingston, the Republican nominee for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, addressed attendees at President Donald Trump’s rally in Perry.
Kingston criticized Democrats and their efforts to gain political support in Georgia.
“The national left are obsessed with turning Georgia socialist blue. And I’m here to tell you that’s not happening,” Kingston said.
“The right leads to prosperity the left leads to hell,” he added.
Kingston also encouraged attendees not to apologize for loving their country.
5:43 p.m. John Cowan, the Republican nominee for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, took the stage at Guardian Centers in Perry.
Cowan encouraged attendees to support Republican candidates Rick Jackson and Mike Collins in the upcoming November elections.
He also discussed his “America Patients First” health care proposal, calling for greater patient protections and competitive insurance markets that focus on patients’ overall health rather than only treating illness.
“I’ve got solutions, president trump has solutions, rick Jackson has solutions, mike collins has solutions,” Cowan said.
Cowan urged supporters to vote early and encourage friends, family members, church members and neighbors to participate in the election.
He also encouraged attendees to “invest in the conservative movement” by voting Republican.
Supporters continued entering the building and finding seats throughout his remarks.
5:30 p.m. Brandon Beach, the 46th treasurer of the United States, addressed the crowd at Guardian Centers in Perry ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled remarks.
Beach, who was appointed by Trump in 2025, oversees the U.S. Mint, Fort Knox and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
During his remarks, Beach discussed a new dollar coin featuring Trump, saying the coins would be available at banks next month.
“I want to challenge you and go to your favorite liberal coffee shop, use it and watch their heads explode,” Beach told attendees.
Beach also praised Trump’s economic policies, saying the administration is working to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
He discussed the Republican-backed tax and spending legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” highlighting provisions involving working families, tips and Social Security benefits.
5:27 p.m. The national anthem began at Guardian Centers in Perry as attendees gathered for President Donald Trump’s scheduled remarks.
5:26 p.m. Attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance before breaking into chants of “USA! USA!”
The crowd cheered as the event continued.
5:21 p.m. President Donald Trump’s rally in Perry began with remarks about the importance of the nuclear family, followed by an opening prayer.
“Lord we ask you watch over these participants,” the speaker said during the prayer.
“Lord we are thankful we can assemble,” the speaker added.
4:55 p.m. Supporters continue making their way into Guardian Centers in Perry ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled remarks.
Attendees have been steadily entering the venue throughout the afternoon after passing through security checkpoints.
Music is playing inside the venue, and vendors are selling Trump merchandise as the crowd continues to gather.
2:54 p.m. 41NBC entered Guardian Centers in Perry on Saturday afternoon to prepare for President Donald Trump’s visit.
Supporters began making their way inside the venue after passing through security screenings conducted by the Secret Service and other security personnel.
1:20 p.m. Vendors were selling barbecue and grilling food while a man played an instrument nearby. Some attendees could also be heard chanting, “USA! USA!”
1:13 p.m. Blake Marnell told 41NBC he wants to see President Donald Trump bring more manufacturing jobs to the United States.
Marnell also expressed concerns about immigration, saying he believes many of the country’s problems are connected to the issue.
“We’d be in better shape if we had fewer illegal aliens in the country,” Marnell said.
1:06 p.m. Paulina and Blair Kendall spoke with 41NBC about Paulina’s 14-year journey to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Paulina, who came to the United States from the Philippines on a visa to marry her husband, said the process involved numerous challenges.
The couple said they support legal immigration but believe the process needs improvement, describing it as costly and difficult to navigate.
They said they hope President Donald Trump will address those challenges while continuing to enforce immigration laws.
1 p.m. April Carmichael told 41NBC she wants to see improvements in health care, particularly for people with limited financial resources.
Carmichael described President Donald Trump as “really good to people. And he helps a lot of people.”
She also said she hopes Trump will take another look at the death penalty and review cases more closely.
12:58 p.m. Dorothy Harp told 41NBC she wants to see improvements in overall affordability, including lower gas prices.
Harp also expressed support for stronger border security, saying she believes President Donald Trump has done a good job securing the nation’s borders.
She added that she would like Trump to eliminate property taxes for senior citizens.
12:55 p.m. Raven Armstrong told 41NBC she is strongly opposed to abortion and wants to see it eliminated.
“We’re christians so we are very for Israel and want to see it be a better place,” Armstrong said.
She also expressed concerns about gas prices and said she hopes they will decline.
“Trump is amazing. I love trump,” Armstrong said.
“He makes people happy. He knows how to make people happy,” she added.
12:53 p.m. Debbie Armstrong told 41NBC she wants to see improvements in the economy, lower gas prices and changes to immigration policies.
“I would like to see things go so much easier in Israel and the economy. Gas prices have got to come down but there everything’s got to be better in our country. I don’t like illegal people coming in. I just really wish that could stop,” Armstrong said.
12:42 p.m. Fred Proctor, 87, told 41NBC he wants President Donald Trump to continue military action against Iran.
Proctor said he wants Trump to “continue the war with Iran and turn that place into a glass factory.”
He also said he believes the country would be in a difficult position if Trump had not become president.
Proctor added that he wants the president to do more for older Americans, particularly when it comes to Social Security benefits.
“Social Security really isn’t that much money,” Proctor said.
12:40 p.m. Dianna Baker and James Smith told 41NBC they came to the United States as refugees from South Africa and are grateful to President Donald Trump.
“We are refugees and we came here legally so we want to thank Donald trump,” Smith said.
Baker said she would like to tell the president, “thank you for saving us.”
12:37 p.m. Rose Poole told 41NBC she wants President Donald Trump to focus on lowering gas prices and the overall cost of goods.
Poole said affordability is among her concerns as she attended Saturday’s rally in Perry.
12:33 p.m. Kevin McCain, 21, told 41NBC he arrived at Guardian Centers around 9:30 a.m. for President Donald Trump’s rally.
McCain, who said he is a first-time voter, identified gas prices and the economy as some of his top concerns.
He also said he wants to see Trump continue working toward his goal of “making America great again.”
10:38 a.m. Mike, a vendor who said he has been selling Trump shirts since 2015, was among those outside Guardian Centers on Saturday morning.
“It doesn’t matter about skin color or anything like that. We’re just going to support him all the way because hes doing some great things for our community and the country,” Mike said.
10:06 a.m. Walter, a Warner Robins resident, told 41NBC he arrived at 8:30 a.m. to attend President Donald Trump’s rally in Perry.
“I wanted to see our president, best president that the United States has had in history,” Walter said, explaining why he arrived early.
10:04 a.m. The first person in line at Guardian Centers told 41NBC he traveled from Lookout Mountain, Georgia, arriving at approximately 6:30 a.m.
He said he made the trip to support President Donald Trump.
“Theres nothing like a Trump rally,” he said.
9 a.m. Supporters are beginning to gather outside Guardian Centers in Perry ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled rally Saturday evening.
41NBC is on the scene as preparations continue for the event.
The earliest attendee 41NBC spoke with said they arrived at approximately 6:30 a.m., hours before doors are scheduled to open.
Trump is expected to speak at 7 p.m.
This is a developing story. 41NBC will continue to provide updates throughout the day.
