In South Carolina, Trump warns of midterm challenges as rallies for Graham intensify amid Senate worries
Trump warns about midterms
Trump told the South Carolina crowd that a president’s party typically does not win midterm elections. He said he had worked hard to support Republican candidates and urged the audience to vote for Graham.
The rally in Rock Hill was Trump’s third appearance for Graham in the state in three months. He also encouraged supporters to act as though he were on the ballot.
A close Senate contest
Graham was appointed to temporarily fill the seat after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died suddenly. With Trump’s endorsement, she won the Republican special Senate runoff in August to become the permanent replacement.
The race against Democrat Annie Andrews was close, with Graham ahead by 1 percentage point in an MS NOW/FiftyPlusOne polling average. The result could affect which party controls the Senate.
Graham’s campaign and record
Graham has never held elected office and struggled during the campaign. In an August debate, she had difficulty answering a question about Taiwan and said she was not well informed on national security.
At Thursday’s rally, she defended Trump’s agenda, opposed abortion and gun control, and backed restrictive immigration policies. She also highlighted her short Senate voting record alongside Trump-aligned Republican senators Ted Cruz, Tim Scott and Mike Lee.
Protests and campaign rhetoric
Trump praised Graham and attacked Andrews, repeatedly using a transphobic slur against her. He said he had not invented the term and added that he was good with names.
Protesters interrupted Trump several times and were escorted out. He then claimed without evidence that they had been paid and called them losers.
Key points
- Trump warned that the president’s party often struggles in midterm elections.
- Graham faced Democrat Annie Andrews in a close race that could shape Senate control.
- A polling average cited in the report put Graham 1 percentage point ahead.
- Trump made his third South Carolina rally for Graham in three months.