Trump Set to Stump for Graham in South Carolina Runoff
Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday to campaign for Sen. Darline Graham days before a Republican Senate runoff. Graham faces Rep. Ralph Norman on Aug. 25.
- 33% — Graham's share in the Aug. 11 primary, forcing a runoff.
- 25% went to Norman; 20% to Rep. Russell Fry, who has since endorsed Graham.
- 62-year-old Graham has served as South Carolina's commissioner for the Blind since 2019.
- Sens. Tim Scott, John Barrasso, and Rep. Russell Fry also appeared at the rally.
Why it matters: The runoff carries midterm stakes: the winner faces Democrat Annie Andrews in November, with Senate control in the balance.
- South Carolina has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades.
- Several Trump-backed candidates have lost recent congressional primaries, making this a test of his endorsement's strength.
How 14 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether Graham's debate gaffe — telling moderators "National security is not my thing" — is a serious liability or a recoverable moment.
Center coverage, 6 sources: The center treats the rally as a gauge of Trump's endorsement power in a competitive intraparty contest with real November consequences.
Associated Press13hPresident Trump to stump for Sen. Darline Graham days ahead of South Carolina's GOP Senate runoff
USA Today4hTrump heads to South Carolina to boost Darline Graham before runoff
The Hill4hLive updates: Trump campaigns in South Carolina, Vance heads to OhioKSAKSAT 12 San Antonio13hPresident Trump to stump for Sen. Darline Graham days ahead of South Carolina's GOP Senate runoff
PBS NewsHour2hWATCH LIVE: Trump stumps for S.C. Sen. Darline Graham ahead of GOP runoffYNYahoo News7hTrump seeks to bolster Graham Senate bid with South Carolina rallyLeft coverage, 6 sources: The left frames the rally as Trump going "all-in" to salvage a candidate damaged by a glaring national security gaffe, with the outcome uncertain.
The Independent2hTrump rides to rescue of handpicked Senate candidate days before make-or-break runoffTBGThe Boston Globe13hTrump to stump for Sen. Darline Graham
AlterNet6hTrump facing 'most embarrassing' loss in deep MAGA country
CNN8hTrump tries to push Sen. Darline Graham across the finish line over some Republicans’ objections
Political Wire7hTrump Tries to Push Darline Graham Across the Finish Line
Raw Story6h'Does he care?' GOP tears its hair out as Trump vows random stump speechRight coverage, 2 sources: The right focuses on the dual-track competition — Trump backing Graham while Buttigieg uses the trip to build his own 2028 profile — and Republican confidence in Graham's recovery.
What’s next: Graham appeared on Fox News's Hannity after the debate; Republican insiders told Politico they saw it as a recovery.
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also in South Carolina this weekend, stumping for Democrats.
- Whether Trump's endorsement is enough to carry Graham past Norman despite her foreign-policy stumble.
- Whether a Democratic win is plausible in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat statewide in decades.