This week, the DNC gave a special welcome to Donald Trump as he traveled to Atlanta for the first time as a convicted felon. The DNC launched five billboards in both English and Spanish in high-traffic sites across Atlanta reminding Georgia voters – and Trump – that he’s a convicted felon with a criminal record unfit to represent hard working Georgians and how he tried to overthrow the will of the people in Georgia by interfering in a free and fair election. 

A reminder: Donald Trump had three opportunities Thursday night to affirm that he will accept the results of the election in November. He declined to do so. 

Take a look at some of the coverage: 

On Broadcast: 

Fox 5 Atlanta: “The campaigns are doing what they can to try to drum up support, including putting up what can only be really described as a snarky billboard by the DNC, basically welcoming former President Trump to Atlanta for the first time in their words ‘as a convicted felon.’ This, of course, reloading to the election interference charges that he was facing in the state of New York and which he was convicted of.”

Fox News: “The DNC paid money to buy out five of these billboards here in the Atlanta area, putting up near highways out here, going after Trump for his recent felony conviction. It says, ‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever.” 

CBS News: “When Trump lands in Atlanta today, he may encounter one of five billboards put up by the Democratic Party highlighting his recent felony conviction.” 

Fox 5 Atlanta: “Now some drivers may have spotted this new billboard with a tongue-in-cheek welcome for President Trump… The Democratic National Committee has paid for five billboards trolling the former president and his recent felony convictions in New York. The sign reads, ‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever.’ The billboards are posted along 85 near Plasters Avenue and Buford Highway. They’re also along I-75 near Lakewood Freeway where Trump is likely to see them when he arrives for the debate.” 

Atlanta News First: “The Democratic National Committee is putting up billboards across Atlanta. They welcome former President Donald Trump back to the city, saying  ‘for the first time as a convicted felon.’ 

“Those billboards will go up in five different locations along the highway, many of them on Trump’s route from the airport to downtown.” 

CNN: “The Democratic National Committee is out in force here in Atlanta with a series of billboards attacking Trump over his criminal record.” 

In Print: 

The Hill: DNC hits Trump over Georgia election interference case ahead of debate

[Julia Manchester, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is set to launch a mobile billboard hitting former President Trump over his election interference case Thursday at the presidential debate venue in Atlanta. 

“The mobile billboard marks the first time the DNC directly attacked Trump over the Georgia case, according to the committee.

“One of the videos featured on the billboard refers to the former president as a ‘convicted felon,’ while other clips hit Trump over his stances on abortion, taxes, Medicare and social security. 

“‘Voters will see the stark contrast [Thursday night] between President Biden, a true leader who wakes up every day fighting for the American people, is overseeing historic job growth, fighting to lower costs for families, and defending Americans’ rights, and Donald Trump, a convicted felon who is only fighting for himself, puts the needs of working families and voters last, and wants to ban abortion nationwide,’ DNC spokesman Abhi Rahman said in a statement announcing the ad buy.”

CBS News: Biden campaign, DNC highlight democracy, Jan. 6 in lead-up to debate

[Aaron Navarro, 6/27/24]

“The mobile billboard, paid for by the DNC, will highlight Trump’s call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger urging him to find 11,780 more votes to help him win the state in 2020, according to details first shared with CBS News.

“The billboard also links the issue of democracy with abortion bans, as it shows news clips about Trump’s platform and comments about abortion bans. It ends with the narrator saying, ‘Our freedoms are under attack. Donald Trump is to blame. Don’t let him do it again.’ 

“This accompanies three other DNC billboard locations in the Atlanta metro area that criticize Trump on similar themes, including one billboard that’s been up since “Wednesday that draws attention to the former president’s 34 felony charges in the New York ‘hush money’ trial.

“‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats — or whatever…’ the highway billboard reads, in both English and Spanish.  

“DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman says its pre-debate activity is meant to ‘remind voters of how [Trump] tried to dismantle Georgia’s democracy,’ and that it’s the committee’s first time referencing Trump’s post-2020 efforts in Georgia. 

“‘Voters will see the stark contrast tonight between President Biden, a true leader who wakes up every day fighting for the American people… and Donald Trump, a convicted felon who is only fighting for himself,’ Rahman added.”

Washington Times: DNC mobile billboard reminds voters of Trump’s election interference case, abortion stance

[Mallory Wilson, 6/27/24]

“A Democratic National Committee mobile billboard spotlights former President Donald Trump’s election interference case in Georgia, as he and President Biden are set to debate Thursday in the Peach State.

“‘Donald Trump is a threat to our freedoms,’ the video says. ‘He sought to overturn an election he lost.’

“The billboard also hits the former president on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, along with his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and comments he’s made about abortion, such as women facing punishment if they get an abortion.

“‘Our freedoms are under attack. Donald Trump is to blame. Don’t let him do it again,’ the narrator says at the end of the video, first reported by CBS News.

“DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman said ‘voters will see the stark contrast tonight between President Biden, a true leader who wakes up every day fighting for the American people, is overseeing historic job growth, fighting to lower costs for families, and defending Americans’ rights, and Donald Trump, a convicted felon who is only fighting for himself, puts the needs of working families and voters last, and wants to ban abortion nationwide.’”

Southeast Politics: ‘Congrats — or whatever’: DNC launches billboards welcoming Donald Trump to Georgia for first time after conviction

[Janelle Irwin Taylor, 6/26/24]

“When former President Donald Trump arrives in Georgia ahead of Thursday’s presidential debate, he’ll be greeted by billboards mockingly welcoming him to the Peach State.

“‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon,’ the billboard reads in all caps next to an image of Trump’s mugshot.

“‘Congrats — or whatever …,’ it ends, making it clear the sign is not actually welcoming the former President.

“The billboard, commissioned by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), will run in English and Spanish at five high-traffic sites throughout Atlanta.

“‘The DNC understands the importance of Southern hospitality, so it is our pleasure to welcome Donald Trump back to the Peach State for the first time since becoming a convicted felon,’ reads a taunting statement about the billboard from DNC spokesperson Jackie Bush.

“‘The man Georgia voters rejected in 2020 has only gotten more unhinged and vengeful in the past four years. From bragging about ripping away women’s reproductive rights, to attacking Americans’ democracy, to pushing a disastrous plan that will hike inflation, Donald Trump has made it clear that he is more unfit than ever to represent hardworking Georgia families.’”

Atlanta News First: Atlanta billboards bought by Democratic National Committee blast Trump’s convictions ahead of debate

[Doug Reardon, 6/25/24]

“ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Former President Donald Trump may not like what he immediately sees when he arrives on the ground in Atlanta for Thursday’s historic debate with President Joe Biden.

“The Democratic National Committee has paid for and erected five billboards trolling the former president for his recent felony convictions on financial crimes out of New York.

“The signs read: ‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever…’

“The billboards will be installed along parts of I-85 near Plasters Avenue, along I-85 near Buford Highway and along I-75 near Lakewood Freeway —where Trump is likely to see them on his way from the airport to the city.”

The Hill: Trump campaign to air two ads during CNN debate with Biden

[Brett Samuels, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is also launching a mobile billboard in the area around the debate attacking the former president over his election interference case in the Peach State.”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Biden, Trump take aim at each other’s base in Atlanta prelude to debate

[Greg Bluestein and Maya T. Prabhu, 6/26/24]

“Democrats seized the opportunity Wednesday to bring up Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in the New York hush money case, launching five billboards in both English and Spanish at high-traffic areas featuring the former president’s mug shot.

“‘The man Georgia voters rejected in 2020 has only gotten more unhinged and vengeful in the past four years,’ Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Jackie Bush said.”

Just the News: DNC targets Trump over Georgia election probe in new Atlanta ad buy

[Misty Severi, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is targeting presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump over his federal election interference case in Georgia in a new mobile billboard ad ahead of the first presidential debate Thursday night in Atlanta. 

“Trump has been charged with attempting to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The new billboard will mark the first time the committee has targeted him over the case.

“‘Voters will see the stark contrast tonight between President Biden, a true leader … and Donald Trump, a convicted felon … ,’ DNC spokesman Abhi Rahman said in a statement.”

Washington Post: What Atlanta voters will see on debate day

[Theodoric Meyer and Leigh Ann Caldwell, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is welcoming former president Donald Trump to Atlanta for the first presidential debate with fixed and mobile billboards highlighting his indictments in Georgia. The billboards also will blame Trump for the fall of Roe v. Wade, which allowed Georgia to outlaw abortion after approximately six weeks of pregnancy.

“A mobile billboard with a two-minute ad will circle the debate venue at CNN’s Atlanta studio downtown, playing a video in which the narrator states, ‘Donald Trump is a threat to our freedoms.’

“The video includes a recording of Trump telling an election official after the 2020 election, ‘I just want to find 11,780 votes.’ The narrator then says Trump is ‘responsible for attacks on reproductive freedom.’ It also includes a clip of Trump saying during the 2016 campaign that ‘there has to be some form of punishment’ for women who get an abortion.

“‘Donald Trump prepares to lie for 90 straight minutes on the debate stage this evening, but the DNC is on the ground in Atlanta to remind voters of how he tried to dismantle Georgia’s democracy, left working families behind and is hellbent on ripping away reproductive freedom,’ DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman said in a statement. ‘Tonight, voters across the country will see the clear choice in front of them and make Trump a loser once again in November.’

“Five billboards will also be placed along major highways in Atlanta.

“‘I was able to kill Roe v. Wade,’ one quotes Trump as saying. Another reads: ‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats … or whatever.’”

The Guardian: In run-up to debate, Biden camp leans into message: Trump is a threat to democracy

[The Guardian Staff, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee plans to run a mobile billboard around the debate venue in Atlanta, with the featured ad highlighting Trump’s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the reversal of Roe v Wade.

“The DNC has also placed ads on five billboards near the debate venue to spotlight Trump’s policy proposals and his recent felony conviction in New York.

“‘As Donald Trump prepares to lie for 90 straight minutes on the debate stage this evening, the DNC is already on the ground in Atlanta to remind voters of how he tried to undermine Georgia’s democracy, threatens to leave working families behind again, and is hellbent on ripping away reproductive freedoms,’ DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman said.

“‘Tonight, voters across the country will see the clear choice in front of them, and they will make Trump a loser once again in November.’”

Washington Post: DNC targets Trump in series of billboards

[Patrick Svitek, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee has hired a mobile billboard truck to drive around the debate site in Atlanta playing a video that alludes to the criminal election interference case against Trump in Georgia. Trump and his associates are accused of conspiring to reverse his 2020 reelection loss in the state.

“Trump ‘sought to overturn an election he lost,’ a narrator says in the video, which then plays a recording of Trump’s post-election call urging Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to change the state’s outcome. ‘And when that failed, he sowed chaos and violence.’

“The DNC said it is the first time it is referencing the case in a paid effort, and it comes about a month after Trump was found guilty in his hush money trial in New York.

“The DNC has also put up traditional billboards across Atlanta, one of which welcomes Trump ‘to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon.’

“‘Congrats — or whatever,’ the message concludes, alongside Trump’s mugshot.

“The mobile billboard and traditional billboards also attack Trump over abortion rights, which has been a consistent theme from Democrats throughout the campaign.”

Raw Story: Trump welcomed to Atlanta by billboards flagging first visit since being ‘convicted felon’

[Daniel Hampton, 6/27/24]

“The Democratic National Committee paid for five billboards to troll Trump over his recent felony convictions in his New York hush money case, according to Atlanta News First.

“‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon,’ the billboard reads. ’Congrats – or whatever…’

“The signs will be tough to miss: They’re along Interstate 85 and a third is on Interstate 75.

“Jaime Harrison, chair of the DNC, said they ‘wanted to give Donald Trump a special welcome to Atlanta.’

“A mobile billboard was also spotted in the city with rotating messages, including one with the word ‘felon’ over Trump’s face.”

NewsNation: Biden, Trump combine presidential debate with ad blitz

[Alicia Nieves, 6/28/24]

“The full 38-second ad featured words from former Trump administration officials and allies used against him. Additionally, Biden and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) posted billboards welcoming Trump to Atlanta but reminding voters he’s a convicted felon.”