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USA TODAY

Donald Trump urges Christian voters to cast their ballots, doesn't address John Kelly allegations

David Jackson and Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY
2 min read

This story was updated to add new information.

WASHINGTON ? During a Tuesday campaign stop in Georgia, former President Donald Trump called on Christian voters to cast their ballots and talked about the Israel-Hamas war, America's energy industry and potential tax cuts ? but didn't address John Kelly until later.

At a town hall centered around faith and the 2024 election in Georgia Wednesday afternoon, Trump did not discuss and supporters didn't ask about Kelly. The event came a day after the New York Times reported Trump's former chief of staff said the Republican nominee shouldn't be allowed back into the White House.

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Instead, Trump used the "Believers and Ballots Faith Town Hall" in Zebulon, Georgia, to make a special request of Christian Americans: Vote.

"Christians are not tremendous voters," said Trump, who has made similar admonitions to Catholic and Jewish voters. Turnout could make all the difference in Georgia, a battleground state that could ultimately determine the winner of the 2024 election.

Trump was asked at the event about how "you lean into your faith," and the former president said he is sustained in part by his supporters.

But Trump visited Georgia as Kelly's comments have dominated news from the campaign trail.

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In interviews with The New York Times, Kelly said the former president exhibits the tendencies of a fascist, including his threat to possibly use the military against domestic political opponents.

“Well, looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy,” Kelly said.

"So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure," he added.

Kelly also confirmed reports that Trump has spoken positively about German dictator Adolf Hitler.

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“He commented more than once that, ‘You know, Hitler did some good things, too,’” Kelly told The Times.

Trump has previously said Kelly has a vendetta because he fired Kelly during his term in office. In a Truth Social post just before an evening rally in Duluth, Georgia, Trump his former ally "made up a story out of pure Trump Derangement Syndrome Hatred!"

"John Kelly is a LOWLIFE, and a bad General, whose advice in the White House I no longer sought, and told him to MOVE ON!" Trump said.

The Trump campaign's communications director, Steven Cheung, said Kelly "totally beclowned himself with these debunked stories he has fabricated because he failed to serve his President well."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump urges Christians to vote, stays mum about John Kelly

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