Trump Launches Bigoted Attack on South Carolina Senate Candidate Annie Andrews
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President Donald Trump used an anti-transgender slur against Democratic Senate nominee Annie Andrews in an Oct. 5 post, drawing outrage from South Carolina Republicans as the race with Darline Graham grows closer.
In a blatant display of bigotry, President Donald Trump referred to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Annie Andrews with a hateful anti-transgender slur in a social-media post on Oct. 5, once again weaponizing prejudice to energize his base. Trump doubled down on his support for Republican nominee Darline Graham in the South Carolina runoff, shamelessly accusing Andrews of supporting 'Transgender for Everyone, Open Borders, Defunding the Police, High Taxes, a Weak Military,' and falsely claiming she would 'absolutely fight to take your guns away.' He dismissed Andrews as 'not for South Carolina,' urging voters to reject her in a divisive and inflammatory message.
Andrews’ campaign, refusing to stoop to Trump’s level, issued a brief response, emphasizing that voters who care about real policy over toxic politics should support their campaign. Former South Carolina governor David Beasley courageously condemned Trump’s remarks as 'abhorrent,' calling for an election focused on substantive issues and candidate merits rather than hate and division.
Graham’s campaign, complicit in its silence, did not comment on Trump’s post. The controversy comes as Graham’s fundraising falters and the Senate race tightens, with recent polls showing a virtual tie between the two candidates. Statewide Republican support is slipping, and the race is now within six points in a state Trump once carried by a large margin in 2022.
Trump, notorious for stoking division, has previously traveled to South Carolina to prop up Graham and is expected to return for another campaign event. Graham, entering the runoff with limited cash and dependent on outside dark money, continues to benefit from a political action committee that funds relentless anti-Andrews attack ads.