White House defends Trump endorsement as South Carolina GOP runoff draws criticism
Key Takeaways
- •Trump has endorsed Darline Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to succeed her brother despite her own acknowledgment that she lacks qualifications.
- •Nordone faced heightened scrutiny after stating this week that she was not well informed on national security, a moment former state Rep. Adam Morgan described as a serious gut check for Trump.
- •White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster defended the president, calling his endorsement the most powerful in American political history and labeling anyone who claims otherwise a fool.
- •Trump's backing has failed this cycle to lift several high-profile candidates, including MyPillow founder Mike Lindell and far-right Rep. Andy Ogles.
- •The Aug. 11 primary forced a runoff, and CNN reported that Trump's effort to unify support behind Nordone has been mixed, with some of his own voters resisting pressure on how to vote.
The White House is moving to defend President Donald Trump’s influence after a public campaign misstep prompted ridicule, according to a new report.
The episode centered on Sen. Darline Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-NC), whom Trump has endorsed to succeed her brother despite setbacks that have included her own acknowledgment that she lacks qualifications, CNN reported Friday.
“The entire world is laughing at South Carolina right now and laughing at Darline Graham Nordone,” former state Rep. Adam Morgan told CNN.
Nordone, whom critics have nicknamed “Queen Darline,” has faced increasing scrutiny after saying this week that she was “not that informed about national security.” Morgan described the moment as a “serious gut check” for Trump, according to CNN.
Trump has since stepped in to defend her, including by holding a rally with Graham on Friday, while the White House has attacked critics of his political clout.
“President Trump’s endorsement is the most powerful endorsement in the history of American politics,” White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster told CNN. “Anyone claiming otherwise is a complete and utter fool.”
Still, Trump’s backing this election cycle has not lifted several high-profile candidates, including conspiracy theorist and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell and far-right representative Andy Ogles. Trump’s endorsement has long ranked among the most coveted assets in Republican primary politics, and the forceful White House response underscores how politically sensitive questions about its reach have become inside the party this cycle.
CNN reported that Trump’s effort to unify support behind Nordone after the Aug. 11 primary, which forced a runoff, has been “mixed.” A runoff is triggered when no candidate wins a majority of the vote in the first primary round, and the second-round winner claims the party’s nomination — making this race a direct test of whether Trump’s backing still translates into votes at the ballot box. Some of Trump’s own supporters have also voiced frustration to CNN.
“While I am a Trump support[er] and Lexington and SC is Trump Country,” Mark Weber, chairman of the Lexington County GOP, said in a text to CNN, “SC voters don’t want anyone to twist our arms or tell us how to vote.”
