Inside Trump's push to recruit an army of volunteers in battleground Georgia

In the state of Georgia, Donald Trump is making a significant effort to recruit volunteers for his campaign as the election approaches. This initiative is known as Trump Force 47, and it aims to mobilize grassroots supporters in key battleground states. Every weekend, a dedicated volunteer named Dean Cottle goes door to door in his community, encouraging his fellow Georgians to vote for Trump. He often asks them, 'What do you have to lose? ' This phrase has become a hallmark of Trump’s messaging. Dean, a long-time supporter of the former president, believes that the current administration's policies have negatively impacted the economy and that immigration issues are causing significant problems. As a 'captain' in the Trump Force 47 program, he is part of a larger effort to transform thousands of supporters into active volunteers who will help drive voter turnout. However, some Republicans in Georgia, a crucial swing state, have expressed concerns about the Trump campaign's heavy reliance on new third-party groups to assist in this effort. These groups are relatively inexperienced in what is commonly referred to as 'the ground game,' which involves personal outreach through door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, and distributing flyers to persuade potential voters. This strategy marks a departure from traditional campaigning methods and even from the Trump campaign's earlier tactics during the primary season. The current focus is on engaging 'low-propensity voters,' or those who are less politically active, rather than solely relying on the loyal Trump base. This shift has raised eyebrows among some Republicans, who view it as a risky gamble for Trump. Nevertheless, the former president has always operated outside the conventional rules of campaigning. Republican strategist Jimmy Centers remarked, 'President Trump is a unicorn. ' He noted that Trump has a unique ability to announce a rally with little notice and attract tens of thousands of attendees, reaching individuals who are typically hard to engage. Dean Cottle continues his volunteer work, using an app that guides him through Fayette County, his home area, as he visits various houses to secure commitments from residents to vote. As of October 28, nearly three million people in Georgia have already cast their votes early. Polls indicate a tight race between Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris, in the state. However, it remains uncertain whether the Trump campaign is effectively recruiting enough volunteers in Georgia and motivating them to dedicate the necessary time and effort to secure a victory in such a closely contested election. The Trump campaign has not responded to inquiries regarding its ground game in Georgia. Another volunteer, Judith Hannon, who attended a Trump rally in Duluth, expressed frustration at the lack of clear opportunities to volunteer for Trump this year, unlike in previous elections. Gerald Cambor, a 49-year-old who became a Trump supporter due to his economic policies, learned about Trump Force 47 during a recent event in Cobb County. He is now eager to help Trump return to the White House. However, by the time he completed his training and downloaded the campaign's app, there were only 11 days left until election day. 'It would have been better if I found it sooner,' he admitted. The Trump campaign has delegated much of its ground game to two new organizations: Turning Point Action, affiliated with the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, and Elon Musk's America PAC. However, these groups lack the extensive experience that traditional campaign organizations possess when it comes to mobilizing voters. Additionally, they have adopted different strategies. Recently, the US Department of Justice cautioned Musk that his plan to offer $1 million per day to registered voters in Pennsylvania who sign a petition with his PAC could be illegal. Musk is also facing legal challenges in Philadelphia, which he denies. Reports indicate that Turning Point Action and America PAC have merged some of their operations in Wisconsin. Yet, Republicans in Georgia remain skeptical about whether this coalition has established a robust ground game. One Republican operative, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about Trump’s volunteer efforts, stated, 'There’s no central mission to their ground game in Georgia. ' They feel that while there are opportunities for people to get involved, there is no organized effort to encourage voter turnout. Georgia's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, leads a powerful grassroots initiative called Georgians First, which has invested over $3 million to mobilize the Republican base for candidates across the ballot. However, Kemp clarified that this effort is not explicitly working on behalf of Trump. 'I wouldn't really be able to speculate on exactly what all they're doing,' he told the BBC. 'President Trump's campaign has just a different model.