‘I’m on the ballot’: Trump lends a hand to struggling Darline Graham
Politics — 2026-08-21 19:36:00 — www.politico.com
Trump Rallies for Darline Graham, Downplays National Security Concerns and Urges Voters to Treat Her as His Stand-In
President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, aiming to bolster Sen. Darline Graham’s candidacy after a debate misstep raised doubts about her readiness to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham. Speaking days before a crucial Senate runoff, Trump called on voters to back Darline Graham, positioning her as a champion for South Carolina and a steadfast supporter of his agenda.
“We’re going to elect Senator Darline Graham to fight, fight, fight for South Carolina and to always put America first,” Trump said at the rally. “You vote for her, you’re going to be very proud of that vote.” He also invoked his close relationship with the late Lindsey Graham, stating, “I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me.”
Despite recent setbacks for Trump-endorsed candidates in several states—including South Carolina, Wyoming, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Iowa—Trump continued to tout the value of his endorsement. He urged South Carolina Republicans to view the Senate race as a referendum on himself, telling the crowd, “What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important. Just say that I’m on the ballot one more time.”
The rally came after Darline Graham admitted during a debate that she was “not that informed on national security” and that “national security is not my thing,” sparking criticism from within her own party. Trump, however, dismissed concerns about her qualifications, telling reporters, “She was just being honest. It hasn’t been her thing, but she’s surrounded by very good people, and she said that she’s totally for the military.” He added, “She’s going to do what the military wants, and really what the president wants. She understands that national security is my thing.”
Trump also addressed the broader stakes of the midterm elections, warning that a Democratic victory could lead to investigations and impeachment proceedings against him. “You’re going to lose everything,” he said. “I’m going to have to go through impeachment.”
The president’s appearance in South Carolina marks a rare in-person rally for a Senate candidate in a battleground state, as he has mostly relied on social media and remote events elsewhere. Trump also stated he would spend “a lot of that money” from his $403 million super PAC war chest to support Republican candidates he deems worthy, though he did not specify which races.
Conclusion
Trump’s rally for Darline Graham underscores his strategy of tying candidates’ fortunes to his own brand, even as his endorsement faces diminishing returns after a string of primary losses. By downplaying concerns about Graham’s national security knowledge and urging voters to treat her as a proxy for himself, Trump continues to prioritize loyalty to his agenda over traditional qualifications. As the midterms approach, his rhetoric signals a campaign focused on personal stakes and party control, with the specter of impeachment looming large in his appeals to Republican voters.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/21/ballot-trump-darline-graham-01046646