South Carolina could give Trump a revitalizing win — or his most embarrassing loss

President Donald Trump campaigned with Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina on August 21, 2026, in a bid to bolster her chances in the upcoming Republican Senate runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. The event took place in Myrtle Beach, where Trump urged voters to “pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot” and cast his support behind Graham, who is running to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the November ballot. Trump’s presence at the rally underscored the significance of the race, which has drawn considerable attention due to Graham’s relative inexperience and a controversial debate performance. Graham, who was appointed to the Senate seat after her brother’s sudden death in early July, faced scrutiny over her responses during a recent GOP Senate primary debate. When asked about U.S. national security interests in the South China Sea and relations with Taiwan, she admitted she was “not that informed on national security” and stated that “national security is not my thing.” The remark sparked immediate backlash from both her opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman, and prominent Republicans, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who criticized Graham for lacking the expertise necessary for the role. Former Governor Mark Sanford also endorsed Norman, arguing that the stakes of the race were too high to support Graham. Despite the controversy, Trump defended Graham’s honesty, calling her response “very honest” and emphasizing her focus on domestic issues such as grocery prices and affordability. At the rally, Graham addressed criticisms directly, acknowledging that she was not a seasoned politician and even compared herself to Trump, who had no prior elected office experience before his 2016 presidential run. “Guilty as charged,” she said, adding that Trump had “done a damn good job” despite his lack of experience. Her remarks elicited applause from the crowd, signaling a level of solidarity with her campaign. Trump’s decision to campaign for Graham marked a departure from his usual strategy, as he rarely engages in in-person rallies for his chosen candidates. The event in Myrtle Beach was notable for its scale and intensity, drawing thousands of supporters to the convention center. The president also used the opportunity to highlight his broader agenda, touting tax cuts, border security, and energy policies as part of his “America First” vision. He also took aim at Democrats, employing familiar rhetoric to reinforce his base’s alignment with his policies. The rally coincided with a surge in support for Graham, with her campaign receiving a significant infusion of funds from MAGA Inc., Trump’s super PAC. According to a Federal Election Commission report, MAGA Inc. spent over $827,000 on phone calls and text messages for Graham in the final days of the race. This was one of the largest expenditures by the super PAC this cycle and highlighted the extent of Trump’s commitment to her candidacy. The funding came amid growing pressure from Republicans in battleground states, who had been urging Trump to allocate resources toward more competitive races. Graham’s campaign, however, remained under scrutiny. Internal polling suggested that her lead in the race was narrowing, with some reports indicating she had dropped several points in recent days. While public polls still showed her comfortably ahead of Norman, the internal data from Norman’s campaign indicated a closer race, with him leading among likely voters by 52% to 40%. Pollster Matt Towery noted that the outcome could hinge on last-minute mobilization efforts, particularly from Trump’s campaign. The race has also drawn comparisons to previous Trump-backed contests, many of which ended in disappointment. For instance, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, a Trump-endorsed candidate in South Carolina’s gubernatorial race, lost to state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Similarly, other Trump-aligned candidates have fallen short in recent primaries, raising questions about the effectiveness of his endorsements. Nevertheless, Trump has maintained that his support remains a decisive factor in Republican politics, particularly in states like South Carolina, where his influence is strong. As the runoff approaches, the focus remains on Graham’s ability to secure a majority of votes. Her victory would mark a significant win for Trump, reinforcing his continued sway within the Republican Party. However, it would also serve as a test of his ability to translate that influence into tangible results in more politically volatile regions. The outcome of the race will likely shape the trajectory of Trump’s political strategy moving forward, especially as the midterm elections draw nearer.