US President Donald Trump on Friday urged South Carolina Republicans to “pretend” he was on the ballot and turn out to vote for Darline Graham in Tuesday’s Senate runoff, using his own political popularity to rally support for the Republican political newcomer.Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, Trump said Republican candidates often struggle to attract the same turnout when he himself is not contesting an election, and urged his supporters to treat the Senate race as though his name appeared on the ballot.“The problem that we have is, they say that Trump does great when he’s on the ballot, but when he’s not on the ballot, his people don’t come and they don’t vote for senators, congressmen and other Republicans,” Trump said.“So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,” he said.Trump also urged his supporters to carry that approach into other elections, making clear that his backing of Graham was part of a broader effort to strengthen Republican support.“We have to get Darline and other people elected.”
Trump backs Graham despite debate stumble
Trump’s appeal came as Graham faces Republican US Representative Ralph Norman in Tuesday’s runoff to determine the party’s candidate for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of her brother, veteran Senator Lindsey Graham, in July.Trump swiftly endorsed Darline Graham after her brother’s death and has now made her campaign a test of his influence with Republican voters.The political novice faces criticism over her limited experience in foreign policy, particularly after a stumble during Tuesday’s debate. Asked about the US alliance with Taiwan, Graham openly acknowledged that national security was not her area of expertise.“I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security,” she said. “National security is not my thing.”Trump defended her response on Friday, calling it a “very honest answer” and saying she would follow the priorities of the military and the president.“She’s going to do what the military wants, and, really, what the president wants.”
Graham leans into outsider image
Graham, whose career before politics focused on services for people with disabilities, has embraced criticism that she is not a conventional politician.“The critics say I shouldn’t run for the Senate,” Graham said. “They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged.”Her campaign has focused largely on domestic conservative issues, including restricting transgender rights, supporting Trump’s immigration agenda and opposing abortion access.Trump contrasted her political focus with that of her late brother, saying Lindsey Graham was “very much about the world”, while Darline Graham was “more about affordability”.
Runoff tests Trump’s influence
Graham and Norman emerged from a 10-candidate Republican field on August 11, with Graham securing 32.8% of the vote and Norman 24.6%. Neither won the majority needed to avoid a runoff.The contest has since centred heavily on which candidate is more closely aligned with Trump, with both seeking to present themselves as loyal supporters of the president.“Darline Graham supports President Donald J. Trump every day on every major issue,” South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott said at the rally.Trump’s intervention also comes as Republicans prepare for the November midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake. By urging voters to imagine that he is personally on the ballot, Trump is seeking to turn his own political following into turnout for Republican candidates beyond his presidency.The president’s influence is likely to be closely watched in the race, even though South Carolina remains a Republican stronghold. Trump won the state by 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.Trump has previously used a very different tone when Democratic candidates have struggled with foreign policy questions. In February, he sharply criticised Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she stumbled over a Taiwan-related question.“Her performance was horrible. I was surprised actually, I didn’t know she was stupid.”