Trump visit to Marietta; The World Cup's final weekend; Rick Jackson Rally

Summary

Georgia Today – July 17, 2026 Episode Summary

Overview

In this episode, host Orlando Montoya covers several top stories shaping Georgia and beyond: President Donald Trump's planned visit to Marietta, reflections and fallout from his recent primetime speech, the World Cup's high-profile final weekend in Atlanta and its parallels to Olympic memories, Rick Jackson’s first gubernatorial campaign rally since clinching the Republican nomination, cancellation of the Savannah Bridge Run, local business news, and a tribute to Macon music legend Alan Walden.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Address and Upcoming Georgia Visit

• Trump’s Address Fallout: Despite much anticipation, Trump did not mention Georgia in his primetime speech, instead reiterating debunked claims about the 2020 election.

  • [00:31] Orlando Montoya: “Many expected a Georgia reference because of his fixation on his 2020 election loss in the state. But documents… allege the People’s Republic of China has a copy of Georgia’s voter rolls. Like most states, Georgia’s voter lists are publicly available for purchase on the Secretary of State’s website.”
  • David Becker, Center for Election Innovation and Research, reminds listeners that public access to voter rolls does not equal election vulnerability.
    • [01:15] David Becker: “Just having the data doesn’t give you an ability to access their voter record. You need many, many more private, personally identifiable information points… to even begin to think about doing that.”

• Political Response:

  • Georgia US Senator Jon Ossoff sharply criticized Trump's continued focus on 2020 and expressed concern about attempts to undermine future elections.
    • [01:44] Jon Ossoff: “Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He tried to overturn the result and he failed. And he’s wasting the country’s time relitigating a six-year-old election when the war in the Middle East is spiraling out of control.”

• Visit Announcement: Trump is scheduled to visit Wheeler High School in Marietta next week, with an expected focus on affordability policies. [03:02]

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2. Politics: Rick Jackson Rally and Gubernatorial Race

• Jackson’s First General Election Rally:

  • At his kickoff rally, Republican nominee Rick Jackson emphasized personal history (growing up in foster care) and pledged to tackle Georgia’s cost of living, specifically by reducing property and income taxes.
    • [02:34] Rick Jackson: “As governor, I will treat affordability like a crisis because for too many families it already is.”
  • Notably, Jackson avoided any direct mention of Trump, distancing himself from direct comparison with the former president during the general campaign.

• Opposition and Election Date:

  • Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is also running on an affordability platform and has campaigned alongside Senator Ossoff.
  • The gubernatorial election is slated for November 3rd. [02:41]

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3. World Cup Final Weekend and Atlanta’s Role

• The Finalists & Game Dynamics: John Nelson joins to preview Argentina vs. Spain in the World Cup final (held in New Jersey), highlighting the contrast in playing styles and team narratives.

  • [04:10] John Nelson: “With Spain, you have a suffocating defense… For Argentina, you have the aura of a defending champion. You have a team that does not quit… Argentina took advantage [against England] and that’s why they’re playing for back to back.”

• Local Impact of Hosting:

  • Atlanta hosted eight matches, drawing over 540,000 fans and a half-million more to fan events.
    • [05:45] John Nelson: “I think it’s just another mark for the city of Atlanta… about what Atlanta brings to the table as the home for soccer in the United States.”
  • The city’s transit and infrastructure handled a massive influx, evoking its role as host of the 1996 Olympics.

• The Sport as Unifier:

  • [06:30] John Nelson: “It was a chance for anyone who was a fan of insert country here to show their support… it’s a way to remember and reinforce what’s good about us as a people and what sport can do as a unifier.”

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4. Olympic Memories and Anniversary

• Sunday marks 30 years since the 1996 Olympic Games opened in Atlanta.
  • Fans and locals, including those who worked the Olympics or had Olympians from their hometowns, reflected on the event's significance.
  • GPB is running a special documentary, "The Games in Black and White," celebrating the legacy and social importance of Atlanta’s Olympics.
    • [07:46] Orlando Montoya: “Who would have thought that today, this story from 30 years, 35 years ago would have the kind of social relevance and meaning and importance.”
    • [08:07] John Nelson: “A critical message for our time.”
  • [Special screening details provided around 08:09.]

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5. Local News Highlights

Savannah Bridge Run Cancelled

• The 2026 edition of the challenging Bridge Run is cancelled due to planned renovations of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge to raise its deck for larger ships.
  • [08:45] Orlando Montoya: “The project is expected to close lanes on the bridge.”

Business & Tech

• Columbus welcomes a $111 million, five-year AI data center investment from Duos Edge AI, not to be confused with the controversial Ruby Data Center.
  • [09:41] Orlando Montoya: “Choose Columbus says it’s not connected to the controversial project.”

Retail and Broadcast News

• L.L. Bean will open its first Georgia store as anchor of Lula Hills in Decatur.
  • The Atlanta Hawks secure a new broadcast partnership with Gray Media after the collapse of Main Street Sports Group.

Macon’s Alan Walden Remembered

• Alan Walden, pivotal in managing soul and southern rock legends (Otis Redding, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd), has died at 83.
  • [11:48] Alan Walden: “I gave all that up for $9,000 and an IBM typewriter and my Rolodex… and my Cadillac.”

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Voter Rolls Security:
  • David Becker (01:15): “Just having the data doesn’t give you an ability to access their voter record. You need many more private, personally identifiable information points…”
• Political Fatigue:
  • Jon Ossoff (01:44): “He’s wasting the country’s time relitigating a six year old election when the war in the Middle East is spiraling out of control.”
• Governor's Promise:
  • Rick Jackson (02:34): “As governor, I will treat affordability like a crisis because for too many families it already is.”
• World Cup Excitement:
  • John Nelson (04:10): “For Argentina, you have the aura of a defending champion. You have a team that does not quit.”
  • John Nelson (06:30): “It’s a way to remember and reinforce what’s good about us as a people and what sport can do as a unifier.”
• Legacy Reflections:
  • Orlando Montoya (07:46): “Who would have thought that… this story from 30 years… would have the kind of social relevance and meaning and importance.”
  • John Nelson (08:07): “A critical message for our time.”
• Alan Walden’s Wisdom:
  • Alan Walden (11:48): “I gave all that up for $9,000 and an IBM typewriter and my Rolodex.”

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Timeline of Notable Segments

• 00:02–01:39: Trump’s speech and allegations, context from David Becker
• 01:39–02:41: Senator Ossoff’s response and Rick Jackson rally highlights
• 03:02–04:10: Trump’s pending visit; World Cup Atlanta recap
• 04:10–06:30: Deep dive: Argentina vs. Spain World Cup final, Atlanta’s legacy as host
• 07:07–08:07: Olympic legacy, reflections, and documentation
• 08:45–09:41: Savannah Bridge Run called off; bridge renovation details
• 09:41–10:28: AI center coming to Columbus; L.L. Bean opening; Hawks broadcast deal
• 11:48–11:59: Alan Walden’s legacy and passing

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Tone and Style

Orlando Montoya and correspondents deliver the news with clarity, measured urgency, and reflective insight. The tone is informative, balanced, and occasionally sentimental—especially around historic events and community milestones.

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For More Information

• "The Games in Black and White" documentary is available at gpb.org and will air July 27 at 9:30pm. A special screening is set for tomorrow at Terra Theater, Atlanta, at 1:30pm. [08:09]

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This summary encapsulates the key content of the Georgia Today podcast on July 17, 2026, ensuring those who haven’t listened can grasp all major stories, debate highlights, memorable moments, and the evolving narrative around politics, sports, and local Georgia life.

Transcript

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode. President Trump is expected to visit Wheeler High School in Marietta next week. The FIFA World cup enters its final weekend and Rick Jackson holds his first rally since winning the Republican nomination as governor.

[John Nelson]

I will treat affordability like a crisis because for too many families it already is.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Friday, July 17th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. President Donald Trump did not mention Georgia in his primetime address, doubling down on debunked election theories last night. Many expected a Georgia reference because of his fixation on his 2020 election loss in the state. But documents released by the White House in connection with the speech allege the People's Republic of China has a copy of Georgia's voter rolls. Like most states, Georgia's voter lists are publicly available for purchase on the Secretary of State's website. David Becker of the center for Election Innovation and Research says that does not mean Georgia's elections were compromised.

[David Becker]

I could have a list of all the students at a particular university. That doesn't mean I can change their grades. And that's what's happening here. Just having the data doesn't give you an ability to access their voter record. You need many, many more private, personally identifiable information points, things like driver's license numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, which aren't in this data to even begin to think about doing that.

[Orlando Montoya]

Georgia U.S. senator Jon Ossoff, speaking today in Rome, blasted the speech.

[John Nelson]

Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He tried to overturn the result and he failed. And he' wasting the country's time relitigating a six year old election when the war in the Middle east is spiraling out of control.

[Orlando Montoya]

Ossoff says the president's speech signals Trump's aim to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson campaigned on his similarities to President Donald Trump in the primary election, but last night, in his first rally of the general election, he didn't mention the president's name. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports Jackson focused his

[Sarah Kalis]

speech on his background growing up in foster care and bringing down the cost of living by reducing property and income taxes.

[John Nelson]

As governor, I will treat affordability like a crisis because for too many families it already is.

[Sarah Kalis]

He also attacked his opponent, Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Bottoms, meanwhile, has focused on reducing the cost of living in her campaign stops and has held two joint rallies with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. The election is on November 3rd. For GPB news, I'm Sarah Kallis in Cleveland.

[Orlando Montoya]

President Trump is expected to visit a Georgia high school next week. The president is scheduled to visit Wheeler High School in Marietta on Wednesday. He's expected to highlight policies aimed at affordability. Argentina and Spain will face off in the FIFA World cup final in New Jersey on Sunday with a chance to be named soccer's world champions. The South Americans, led by Lionel Messi, rallied to beat England in a semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. That match was the last of eight that the city hosted over the past month as more than a half million fans claimed to watch the world's best play in Atlanta. But it's not the last thing we have to talk about with GPB's John Nelson. He joins us now to preview the tournament's final weekend. John, it's great to talk with you again.

[John Nelson]

As always, my friend. Great to see you. I know that you've gotten more sleep than I have over the last six weeks.

[Orlando Montoya]

It was a lack of sleep for a great thing. This was great soccer played. Let's talk with you about the final. The defending champions versus the odds on favorite what does each team bring to the match?

[John Nelson]

Oh, boy. With Spain, you have a suffocating defense and some great stars on offense. For Argentina, you have the aura of a defending champion. You have a team that does not quit. And I was discussing this with my wife, actually, and we were talking about Argentina and one of our favorite documentaries is the documentary of North Carolina State when they won the national championship in college basketball 40 years ago. And their point guard, Derek Wittenberg was always talking about in the documentary that they were trailing and they were always coming from behind. It's like they were comfortable there when they were down and that's what you ended up with. Argentina 18 that did not quit. And there were some issues obviously with England and they're defending and doing it entirely too early and Argentina took advantage of it and that's why they're playing for back to back. And Spain, Spain, like I said, it's just suffocating defensively. And when you've got an offense like what you have with Lamina Mall and Mikel Oiga Thobble, it is going to be an interesting clash of styles when it comes to this match. How does Spain approach it? Do they just go pedal down? Do they try and suffocate Argentina like England tried and did so unsuccessfully? I'm intrigued and me and about a billion other folks will be just as intrigued.

[Orlando Montoya]

As we noted earlier in the Program. Sunday is the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Atlanta. Once World Cup 2026 ends, how do you think its legacy will hold up in light of the Olympic legacy?

[John Nelson]

Wow. I think that if you look at it by the numbers, 544,000 people went to go see all eight matches total at Atlanta Stadium, as we call it then, then you had the fan festival that had another half a million folks, 27,000 guests each day. You had all the media coming from 82 countries. You had Marta moving two and a half million people, which is usually, I think it's 200% increase as to what they're used to doing. And so I think it's just another mark for the city of Atlanta and for the southeastern United States about what Atlanta brings to the table as the home for soccer in the United States.

[Orlando Montoya]

Well, I'll remember all the jersey wearing fans walking around my neighborhood. And I live two miles away.

[John Nelson]

You know, I'm like, that's just, I mean, that's the cool part of this. And it wasn't. And it wasn't just the nations that were playing on that day. It was a chance for anyone who was a fan of insert country here to show their support. It was a chance for me to empty out my wallet and get gear from Uzbekistan and Cabo Verde and Dr. Congo. And the boss has already claimed it all. So I mean, it's, it's, it, it's a way to remember and reinforce what's good about us as a people and what sport can do as a unifier.

[Orlando Montoya]

Thank you so much for your expertise. We appreciate it.

[John Nelson]

Anytime, my friend. It's always great to talk about the beautiful game.

[Orlando Montoya]

Sunday will mark 30 years since the opening ceremony at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. It comes as the city wraps up another milestone serving as a host city in the FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans and brothers Marcus and John Macar were at the city's last World cup match on Wednesday. And remember the 96 games?

[John Nelson]

I had an international hostel out in Decatur and we had a restaurant. So it was just work all the time, but it was a lot of fun. It was great. Were you around? No. You were too young. I came in.

[Orlando Montoya]

Three guys from my high school in

[John Nelson]

Tulsa, Oklahoma were in the Olympics that year.

[Orlando Montoya]

GPB celebrates the Olympic anniversary with the documentary the Games in Black and White. The film highlights the key friendship between ambassador Andrew Young and Olympic CEO Billy Payne. Who would have thought that today, this story from 30 years, 35 years ago would have the kind of social relevance and meaning and importance.

[John Nelson]

A critical message for our time.

[Orlando Montoya]

If you want to learn more about the history of how the Olympics came to Atlanta, you can watch the documentary the Games in Black and White on our website. Go to gpb.org and search for the Games in Black and White to watch On Demand. It's also on the GPB app and will air on GPB television on July 27th at 9:30pm and in Atlanta tomorrow afternoon, a special screening featuring the film's director, producer and writer will take place at the terra Theater at 1:30. The organizers of the 35 year old Savannah Bridge Run have cancelled this year's event because of what they're calling circumstances beyond their control. About 5,000 runners and walkers race across the city's iconic and relatively steep Talmadge Memorial Bridge each December in what organizers call the South's toughest bridge run. It's also the only time pedestrians are allowed on the bridge. Organizers wrote in an email sent Yesterday that the 2026 run is canceled because of upcoming bridge renovations. A Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson says the agency is planning to shorten the bridge's cables later this year as part of a project to raise the bridge's deck between 15 to 20ft to allow larger ships to pass underneath the bridge. That project is expected to close lanes on the bridge. An artificial intelligence data center company is expanding in Columbus with a five year, $111 million agreement. Florida based duos Edge AI announced the contract with an undisclosed company yesterday. Choose Columbus. The local development authority's marketing arm says it's not connected to the controversial project Ruby Data Center Project.

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[Orlando Montoya]

Outdoor lifestyle brand L.L. bean plans to open its first location in Georgia. National retail developer Edens said on Wednesday that L.L. bean will anchor a new mixed use destination, Lula Hills, going into the site of the former North DeKalb Mall in Decatur. And in Georgia Sports, the Atlanta Hawks have announced Atlanta based Gray Media as their broadcast partner for all non nationally televised regular season games. The announcement yesterday secures Hawks broadcasts across the state following the closure of Main Street Sports Group, which also impacted Atlanta Braves broadcasts. And finally today, Alan Walden, one of the key figures in the city of Macon's rise to international musical fame has died. Walden and his brother Phil had their first taste of success managing soul music artists like Otis Redding. After Redding's death, they and a third partner started the Capricorn Studio and label, home to the Allman Brothers Band in Macon. In a 2018 interview with GPB, Alan Walden said he gave up his share of the Capricorn business for a chance to go out on his own and manage bands. His brother passed on like Lynyrd Skynyrd.

[John Nelson]

I gave all that up for $9,000

[David Becker]

and an IBM typewriter and my Rolodex.

[John Nelson]

That's all I asked for. And my Cadillac.

[Orlando Montoya]

Walden managed Lynyrd Skynyrd while they enjoyed their biggest hit, Sweet Home Alabama. Alan Walden was 83 years old and that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. Hit subscribe on this podcast to stay current with us in your feed. Send us feedback to georgia [e-mail] and as always, visit gpb.org news for many of the stories that you hear on this podcast and others. That's it for me this week. It's been a pleasure filling in for Peter Biello this week. He'll be back again on Monday for another edition of Georgia Today.