President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric in the South Carolina Senate race on Monday by using an anti-transgender slur to attack the Democratic nominee, Dr. Annie Andrews. In a post on Truth Social, the president employed the slur three times while positioning the Democratic challenger against his handpicked Republican candidate, Sen. Darline Graham.
The controversy arises as the president faces mounting concerns from allies regarding the electoral standing of his chosen candidate. After the unexpected death of Sen. Lindsey Graham—whom the president regarded as a close confidant—Trump threw his support behind Darline Graham to fill the seat. His political action committee, MAGA Inc., invested over $800,000 to help her secure a victory in the GOP primary runoff, with the president also appearing on the campaign trail to boost her profile.
Despite these efforts, the state is no longer considered a safe Republican stronghold. The Cook Political Report recently adjusted its rating of the race from solid to likely Republican, signaling potential vulnerability for the GOP candidate. Internally, Trump allies have expressed significant anxiety regarding recent polling data, suggesting the contest has become a challenging indicator of the president’s political influence in the state. A state that seemed like a relatively safe GOP win has become a fresh test of Trump’s influence.
Responding to the personal attacks, Andrews opted not to address the president’s language directly. Instead, she issued a statement focusing on her background as a pediatrician and mother. “As a mom and a pediatrician, I’m in this race to fight for my patients, my three kids, and South Carolina,” she stated. “I’m going to work with anyone to put South Carolina first, because lowering costs and making life better for families across our state is going to take all of us working together. If you care more about your bills than the politics in Washington, this campaign is for you.”
The campaign environment has also been marked by intense debate over social issues. While Republican opponents have frequently scrutinized Andrews over her stance on transgender care—specifically regarding past support for hormone treatments for youth—she has clarified her position by stating she does not support gender-identity surgeries for minors.
In his Truth Social remarks, Trump also utilized the opportunity to praise Darline Graham, recounting past conversations with the late Senator Lindsey Graham. He quoted the late senator as having described Darline as “the finest, most reliable, and one of the smartest people” he had ever known, noting her loyalty as a key trait. The president’s latest public outburst comes as both campaigns intensify their final push ahead of the midterm election. He would then always add, ‘Also, the most loyal. This story has been updated with additional information.