Vice President JD Vance touched down in Georgia this week, positioning himself as the chief campaigner behind President Trump’s controversial tax and spending package. His visit is aimed at shaping the narrative and energizing support ahead of Georgia’s crucial 2026 Senate race.
Vance made stops across metro Atlanta, including Peachtree City, where he presented the new legislation called One Big Beautiful Bill as a major win for working families. He highlighted key provisions such as expanded tax deductions for tips and overtime, lower taxes on retirees, and increased financial backing for defense and border security programs.
But as Vance promoted the law, critics pushed back strongly. Polling shows the legislation as one of the least popular in decades, with particularly steep disapproval among independent voters. Even within Republican ranks, many supporters of the president are less enthusiastic about the tax bill itself, making Vance’s defense of it a politically risky move.
The stakes are particularly high in Georgia. Democrat Senator Jon Ossoff, who is a top target for Republicans in 2026, has condemned the law for cutting essential services such as Medicaid and food assistance. Republican challengers are meanwhile using Vance’s appearances to rally their bases and reinforce loyalty to the Trump agenda.
At the state level, Republican lawmakers are also floating sweeping tax reforms, including proposals to eliminate Georgia’s personal income tax entirely. Critics argue such a change would severely reduce state revenue and mostly benefit wealthier residents, raising new tensions in the policy debate.
Against this backdrop, Vance’s Georgia tour is about more than defending a law. It is about testing political messaging in a state that will be decisive in upcoming elections. Whether the Trump tax law becomes a rallying point for Republicans or a burden that fuels Democratic opposition will be closely watched as the midterms approach.