President Trump Backs Darline Graham

What happened

Updated Oct 29, 4:55pm ET

President Trump held a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, urging voters to support Republican Sen. Darline Graham. During the rally, a protester interrupted him and was escorted out after Trump called him a paid agitator and mocked his appearance. Graham was appointed after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died in July, and she is seeking a full term. The race is unexpectedly close in a state Trump carried by about 18 points in 2024. Trump warned that the president’s party often loses midterms and urged Republicans to vote. He accused Democratic nominee Annie Andrews of backing gender-related care for minors; Andrews denies supporting surgery for minors and says she supports transgender youth. The election is scheduled for November 3.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the rally as a sign of Republican worry in a race that should have been safer. PBS NewsHour stressed Trump’s return trip as evidence of party anxiety over the seat. MS NOW focused on Trump preparing supporters for a disappointing midterm result. Raw Story lingered on his insults toward the protester and his paid-agitator claim.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets framed the rally as a turnout push to protect a normally safe Republican seat. The Blaze emphasized Trump taking no chances as the contest tightened. Washington Times highlighted his attack on Andrews’s transgender positions as out of step with the state. RedState treated his put-down of the protester as an entertaining hit on an agitator.