US President Donald Trump strongly criticized ex-Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan as he announced that he was leaving the Republican Party to join the Democrats.
Duncan served as a lieutenant governor for four years, from 2019-2023. He has been a local critic of Trump. He announced his decision to join the Democrats in an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Trump responded Friday morning on Truth Social, calling Duncan a ‘total loser’ and saying ‘good riddance’.
“Failed former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, of Georgia, is a total loser. He was never able to get anything done, all he ever did was complain. We didn’t want him in the Republican Party any longer, so I’m told he became a Democrat,” Trump wrote. “Good riddance Geoff. You don’t even have a chance!!!”
A History of Criticism
Trump’s latest remarks follow years of public attacks on Duncan. On August 3, 2024, Trump urged the Georgia GOP to expel him, calling Duncan a “’bum’ and ‘total lightweight’ in multiple posts.
“He is a total lightweight, and went to work at a low salary for Fake News CNN. His sole function is to knock Donald J. Trump,” Trump wrote. “Georgia should throw this ‘bum’ out of the Party. He is unelectable and not respected by anyone, other than your lightweight Governor, Brian Kemp who, if it wasn’t for me, would have never been Governor…”
Why Duncan Switched Sides?
In his op-ed, Duncan explained that his shift toward the Democratic Party began before Trump’s reaction to the 2020 election loss and the events of January 6, 2021. He also cited policy disagreements.
“There’s no date on a calendar or line in the sand that points to the exact moment in time my political heart changed, but it has,” Duncan wrote. “My decision was centered around my daily struggle to love my neighbor, as a Republican.”
GOP Expulsion and Fallout
In January, the Georgia GOP formally expelled Duncan after he endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election in 2024 and later backed Vice President Kamala Harris when Biden dropped out.
State GOP Chair Josh McKoon ordered Duncan to stop using his Republican credentials in public or media appearances. The party accused him of using his title to “attack the Republican Party” during his appearances as a CNN contributor.
