Former President Donald Trump ignited a social media firestorm with remarks made during a rally at Georgia State University Convocation Center in Atlanta on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Trump jestingly suggested he might not return home to his wife, Melania Trump, after being kissed by Georgia activist Michaelah Montgomery.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd, Trump called Michaelah Montgomery to the stage and recalled their first meeting at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in April. Trump recalled how Montgomery recognized him and thanked him for his contributions to her college. He humorously mentioned that she hugged and kissed him, jokingly leading him to consider not returning home to Melania Trump.

Montgomery humorously responded to Trump’s story, noting that it was supposed to remain a secret. Despite the lighthearted nature of the exchange, the comment quickly sparked reactions on social media. Users on X criticized Trump’s remark as being disrespectful to Melania Trump. One person sarcastically suggested that Melania would be delighted, while others questioned whether the encounter was genuine.

As a Clark Atlanta University graduate and an outspoken advocate of Trump’s policies, Montgomery used the rally as a platform to defend Trump against the backlash regarding his comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity. At the event, Montgomery supported Trump’s contentious view, implying that Harris identifies as Black only when it serves her politically. Her comments addressed Trump’s earlier assertions that Harris had “happened to turn Black” recently, which had already drawn significant criticism.

Despite the controversy, Trump praised Montgomery at the rally, describing her as “incredible” and predicting her “tremendous future.” He promised to support her in her future endeavors.

The rally showcased Trump’s continued popularity among his supporters as he covered various subjects, including his vision for the country’s future. He stressed his dedication to issues impacting Black Americans, a group he claims to have significantly benefited during his time in office, asserting, “I am the best president for Black Americans,” and emphasizing his contributions to their communities.

JD Vance, a political ally and the vice presidential nominee, also addressed the crowd, echoing Trump’s contentious remarks about Harris. Vance critiqued Harris’ accent, calling it “weird for her to sound like a Southern belle even though she grew up in Vancouver,” as part of a wider criticism of the Democratic Party.

Melania Trump’s absence from both the rally and Trump’s campaign events has sparked speculation. Some reports allege that she and Trump have an arrangement whereby she would not need to fulfill continuous First Lady responsibilities if he were to return to the White House, although this has not been confirmed.