Memorandum
- From
- Derek Weston via New York Post
- Date
- Filed
- Politics·4 min to read
- Re
Trump tells South Carolina voters to treat Senate race as if he is on the ballot
ReTrump tells South Carolina voters to treat Senate race as if he is on the ballot
At a Myrtle Beach rally, former President Donald Trump urged South Carolina voters to support Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham, warning that failure to do so would mean losing the border, tax cuts, and other achievements.
Former President Donald Trump warned South Carolina voters on Thursday that they would «lose everything» if Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham does not win her race, urging the crowd to treat the contest as if his own name were on the ballot.
Speaking at a rally in Myrtle Beach, Trump pressed supporters to turn out for Graham, saying the stakes extended far beyond the Senate seat itself. «You got to come out and vote,» he said, «because if we lose, you're going to lose your border, you're going to lose your tax cuts, you're going to lose everything that we've done.»
The rally is part of a broader push by Trump to boost Republican candidates in competitive races ahead of the midterm elections. Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, is seeking to hold the seat and has aligned herself closely with the former president's agenda, including border security and tax policy.
Trump's remarks frame the Senate race as a referendum on his administration's record, a strategy he has deployed in other states where Republican candidates face tight contests. By telling voters to «pretend I'm on the ballot,» he sought to personalize the election and mobilize his base, which remains a decisive force in South Carolina Republican primaries and general elections.
Political analysts note that Trump's involvement in Senate races has been a double-edged sword. While his endorsement can energize loyal supporters, it can also galvanize opposition among moderate and independent voters. In South Carolina, a reliably Republican state, the primary challenge for Graham is less about party control and more about turnout and enthusiasm.
The border and tax cuts have been central themes in Trump's post-presidential rallies. His administration's tax overhaul, passed in 2017, remains a key talking point for Republicans, while border security continues to be a flashpoint in national politics. By linking Graham's campaign to these issues, Trump is attempting to frame the election as a choice between preserving his legacy and returning to Democratic policies.
Graham's campaign has not yet released a detailed response to Trump's remarks, but she has previously emphasized her support for border wall funding and her opposition to tax increases. Her opponent in the race has criticized her alignment with Trump, arguing that South Carolina needs a senator who will prioritize local issues over national partisan battles.
The Myrtle Beach rally drew a large crowd, with attendees waving signs and cheering as Trump spoke. Local Republican officials expressed optimism about voter turnout, noting that Trump's visits often boost enthusiasm in the region. Early voting in South Carolina is expected to begin in the coming weeks, and both campaigns are ramping up their ground operations.
Trump's warning about losing «everything» reflects a broader Republican messaging strategy that emphasizes the consequences of Democratic control in Washington. With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, races like Graham's have taken on outsized importance, drawing national attention and significant campaign spending from both parties.
For South Carolina voters, the choice will come down to whether they share Trump's assessment of the stakes. The former president's ability to sway the outcome remains an open question, but his presence on the campaign trail ensures that the race will be closely watched as a bellwether for Republican strength in the midterms.
