Trump uses anti-transgender slur against Democratic Senate candidate in South Carolina

President Donald Trump on Monday used an anti-transgender slur three times in a Truth Social post attacking Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in South Carolina, while urging voters to back Republican Sen. Darline Graham, according to CNN, The Hill and NBC News. In the post, Trump called Andrews, who is not transgender, “not for South Carolina” and said the state “must show, in the upcoming Election, that it is not for her,” NBC News reported. He praised Graham, citing her late brother and Senate predecessor, Lindsey Graham, and calling Darline Graham “the finest, most reliable, and one of the smartest people I have ever known,” and he listed positions he attributed to Andrews on transgender issues, borders, policing, taxes, the military and gun rights, The Hill reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Andrews did not address the slur directly. In a statement, she said she is “in this race to fight for my patients, my three kids, and South Carolina.” “And I'm going to work with anyone to put South Carolina first, because lowering costs and making life better for families across our state is going to take all of us working together,” she said, adding: “If you care more about your bills than the politics in Washington, this campaign is for you.” NBC News said the statement was first shared with it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Trump has taken a particular interest in the race, CNN reported, pushing for Graham's appointment after the death of her brother and directing his MAGA Inc. PAC to spend more than $800,000 on her GOP primary runoff campaign, as well as campaigning for her personally. CNN reported that the Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the race from solidly Republican to likely Republican two weeks ago, and that Trump allies have told CNN they are worried about Graham's polling. The Hill described the race as tightening. [ 1 , 2 ]

The Human Rights Campaign criticised the post. “So low, in fact, he's having to campaign in deep red territory in a desperate attempt to shore up support ahead of the midterms,” spokesperson Ramiro Sarmiento said in a statement reported by NBC News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., condemned Trump's words on Monday night, calling his attacks on Andrews “despicable” and saying Andrews “is exactly who South Carolina needs representing them in the Senate.” [ 3 ]

NBC News reported that Graham's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the post, and that the White House referred it to Trump's social media post when asked why he used the slur. The Hill noted that Motherly reported in a May interview that Andrews, a pediatrician, would become the first pediatrician elected senator if she wins in November. [ 2 , 3 ]