Trump Pressures Ally in South Carolina Senate Runoff

Trump called Rep. Russell Fry and former Gov. Mark Sanford after the South Carolina Senate primary, seeking support for appointed Sen. Darline Graham's Aug. 25 runoff.

• Aug. 25 is the runoff date, two weeks after the primary.
• Sanford told reporters he did not intend to endorse after the call.
• Fry finished third in the primary and remains undecided on an endorsement.
• Norman holds backing from Nikki Haley, Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Lee, Turning Point Action, and CPAC.

Why it matters: The runoff splits Trump's coalition. Graham has support from Sens. Tim Scott and Tom Cotton; Norman has Haley, a 2024 Trump primary rival.

• Trump muddied South Carolina's earlier gubernatorial primary with a dual endorsement; his endorsed candidate lost.

How 4 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Trump will give Graham a clear solo endorsement or float a dual endorsement of both runoff candidates.

What’s next: Trump's team is considering a Graham rally near Myrtle Beach, Fry's home base.

• South Carolina Republicans received texts polling a dual-endorsement scenario; the source is unknown.
• Will Fry endorse Graham, stay neutral, or back Norman?
• Will Trump hold a rally for Graham, issue a dual endorsement, or stay out of the runoff?
• Who commissioned the dual-endorsement polling texts sent to South Carolina Republicans?