I'm Brian Lerer. This is my daily politics podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Monday, December 28th.

By now you've heard the President Trump sign the coronavirus relief bill last night, allowing

unemployment checks to resume

the Save Our Stages program to start sending help to unemployed workers in the devastated

performing arts and more. What you may not have heard is that shortly after he announced

the signing, he also announced a plan for an in-person election eve rally in Georgia next Monday,

a week from today, for the two Republicans in the Senate runoff elections that will decide

which party controls the U.S. Senate. The election there is the following day next Tuesday.

If you've seen the front page of the New York Post today, owned by Rupert Murdoch,

who also owns Fox News, it's an editorial urging the president to focus on the Georgia election

instead of the one he lost. It says, quote, end this dark charade cheering for an undemocratic coup, unquote. So yes, even the New York

Post is ending the Trump presidency, accusing him of wanting to overthrow our democracy.

But did the Georgia Republicans even want Trump there after his flailing on the coronavirus bill put them in

an awkward position these last few days. Remember, it's Trump and the Democrats who want to

increase the stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. Senate Republicans, including the two

defending their Georgia seats, have been for the smaller amount.

While the president was out trashing the bill that Congress passed,

Senator David Perdue was running a campaign commercial that celebrated it.

Purdue again delivered real, meaningful help for Georgians.

900 billion in new COVID relief. Direct checks to Georgians. 900 billion in new COVID relief.

Direct checks to Georgians.

That from a David Perdue campaign ad,

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