POLITICS

Trump Intervenes in South Carolina GOP Senate Runoff Following Gaffe

PUBLISHED Aug 21, 2026, 2:22 AM ET

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President Donald Trump travels to South Carolina on Friday for a campaign rally supporting Senator Darline Graham ahead of the August 25 Republican primary runoff . Graham, appointed to fill the seat of her late brother Lindsey Graham, faces Representative Ralph Norman after leading the 10-candidate special primary with 32.8% . The rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center follows Graham's debate gaffe where she admitted being "not that informed on national security" regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea . Norman labeled Trump's endorsement a "head scratcher," citing his experience and voting record . Friday is the final day of early voting in the compressed special election cycle triggered by Senator Lindsey Graham's July death . The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November for the full six-year term

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On July 11, 2026, evening: Senator Lindsey Graham died from a sudden illness at age 71 .
· On July 12, 2026: Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham as interim senator .
· On July 17, 2026: President Trump issued a complete and total endorsement of Darline Graham .
· On August 11, 2026: Graham led a 10-candidate primary with 32.8 percent of votes .
· On August 11, 2026: Norman finished second with 24.6 percent, triggering a runoff election .
· On August 17, 2026: Norman questioned Trump's endorsement, calling it a "head scratcher" .
· On August 18, 2026, evening: Graham admitted being uninformed on national security during a debate .
· On August 20, 2026: Last day for early voting before the August 25 runoff election .
· On August 21, 2026: Trump will hold a Myrtle Beach rally to personally boost Graham .
· On August 25, 2026: Republican runoff election will determine the GOP nominee for November .