Inside Trump's biggest South Carolina gamble yet: The Oval Office gut decision to back Lindsey Graham's sister … and why even Republican allies are concerned

By CHARLIE SPIERING, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 17:35, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 17:37, 24 July 2026 Darline Graham Nordone had come to the White House to be consoled. The decision to appoint her to her brother's seat was seen as a token of respect for the veteran Republican senator. Instead, President Trump turned an Oval Office conversation on its head with a remark that could remake South Carolina politics.  After expressing sympathy to her for the loss of her brother, Trump quizzed her about the Republican primary race to replace him in the Senate when he had an idea. 'They were talking about the race and the different candidates and the president suddenly turns to her and asks, 'Why don't you run?' a source close to the administration told the Daily Mail about the conversation last week. Graham told the President she would consider the idea, prompting him to officially endorse her on Truth Social on the following day. The decision was classic Trump, one source told the Daily Mail, frequently relying on his gut instincts and personal rapport with people to make a decision.  As current and former staff traveled to Washington, DC to mourn Lindsey's death, the idea quickly caught fire. Darline Graham Nordone, sister of former Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham was appointed to temporarily fill his seat  Senator Lindsey Graham and his sister Darline Graham Nordone Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who passed away suddenly on July 11, hugs his sister Darline Graham Nordone  Many of them have served the South Carolina senator for decades and Darline's appointment secures their jobs in Washington, DC and keeps the Senate seat in the family. By Monday, Darline had made her decision.  'I'm in,' she said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, acknowledging that the race would be 'difficult' but that she was determined to run.  Trump's endorsement, however, puts him at odds with a lot of Republicans in South Carolina, who prefer to move past the Graham era. 'It's kind of a sh*t show,' a Republican fundraiser told the Daily Mail. 'She's grieving and they're all telling her to run and even people that liked Lindsey feel like this is a bad idea.' It's a risky bet for Trump, as sources in the state view it as wide open race, even though the President endorsed early. DC insiders believe that with Trump's help and the guidance of Lindsey's staff she will hit the ground running, raise a lot of money, and win the hearts of the voters. 'She is a lot like Lindsey, she's witty, she's got a good sense of humor. Nobody will ever be Lindsey Graham but I think they're gonna like Darline,' a former Graham staffer told the Daily Mail.  Republican Senator from Iowa Chuck Grassley (R) reenacts the swearing-in of Darline Graham Nordone (L), sister of former Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) appears at a Senate Budget Committee nomination hearing Darline Graham Nordone (C-R), sister of former Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham, smiles with family members at her swearing-in ceremony  Other candidates in the state are not dropping out of the race, despite the president's endorsement.  South Carolina Congressman Russell Fry is a popular choice among Republicans and has a close relationship with the president.  Congressman Ralph Norman, a member of the Freedom Caucus, has earned a lot of important conservative endorsements including former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint as well as senators Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah. MAGA world, however, views Norman with suspicion after he was the only member of Congress to endorse former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley after she challenged Trump in the 2024 Republican primary. An Innovative Communication Strategies poll released Wednesday found Ralph Norman with 18.6 percent support, followed by Graham at 16.3 percent and Russell Fry at 11.7 percent.  One source said that Trump's dream candidate would have been former South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy, but the former congressman who left in 2019 has made it clear he has no interest in returning to Washington. It would have taken a direct call and some heavy lobbying from the President for Gowdy to even consider changing his mind, a source familiar with his thinking told the Daily Mail.  Trump's endorsement has helped boost Graham's candidacy, sources say, but she has a lot of work to do, as she and her staff will have to convince skeptical South Carolina Republicans that a Lindsey Graham reboot is the best path forward. President Donald Trump moved quickly to encourage Graham's sister to consider running to replace him  Representative Ralph Norman is also running to replace Graham  South Carolina Representative Russell Fry is also running to replace Graham in the Republican primary One well-connected Republican source pointed out that Trump may have to change his endorsement, if one of the other candidates starts building momentum. Trump made the wrong call in South Carolina by backing Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in the gubernatorial primary. When it looked like Evette would get crushed in the runoff election, he made a rare double endorsement of Attorney General Alan Wilson just days before the polls opened. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has yet to endorse in the race as the filing deadline is on July 28. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he does not plan to endorse in the race, on the grounds that it 'probably isn't helpful' to anyone running in a Republican primary. Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, Attorney Duke Buckner, former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, Samuel Shepherd and Clark Neilson have also filed to run in the primary battle. Former Congressman Mark Sanford also announced his intention to run on Thursday, despite a string of personal scandals. The special election is scheduled for August 11. This week, Darline was walking the halls of the Senate, meeting with her new colleagues. As one of her first actions, she endorsed the Save America Act, an election security bill heavily backed by Trump and his supporters. Next week she will mourn the loss of her brother whose funeral is scheduled for next Tuesday, and then hit the campaign trail to succeed him.