Trump touts power of his endorsement following South Sen. Darline Graham’s primary win : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-08-26 15:14:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Claims Credit for Darline Graham’s Senate Primary Win, Pushes Nationalized GOP Midterm Strategy
President Trump is taking full credit for Senator Darline Graham’s victory in the South Carolina special primary runoff, asserting that his endorsement and campaign efforts were decisive. In a post, Trump called Graham “an underdog candidate” and implied that his support was essential to her win. Beyond a simple endorsement, Trump held a rally in the Myrtle Beach area to boost turnout and mobilized his super PAC, MAGA Inc., to spend over $800,000 on robocalls and text messages aimed at getting his supporters to the polls.
At a rally for Graham, Trump told voters, “What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important.” This approach reflects his broader strategy to nationalize the midterm elections, making himself the central figure in energizing Republican voters—even in races where local dynamics might otherwise dominate.
Trump’s team believes that he is the key to Republican success in the midterms, despite his policies being deeply unpopular with the broader electorate just 70 days before the election. He is not giving Republicans in swing districts or states much room to run their own races, instead focusing on boosting turnout among his base.
Financially, Trump’s influence is backed by significant resources. MAGA Inc. reportedly has more than $400 million in cash on hand and demonstrated its ability to quickly deploy large sums to support candidates. Trump is also scheduled to headline a two-night Republican midterm convention in Dallas and attend a fundraiser in Texas for the Republican Party.
The takeaway: Trump is not only claiming credit for individual victories like Graham’s but is also positioning himself as the driving force behind GOP midterm efforts, using both his personal brand and substantial financial resources to shape the party’s strategy and turnout.