Trump endorses SC’s Lindsey Graham for reelection. What it could mean for 2026 campaign
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s close relationship with President Donald Trump is paying off ahead of the 2026 election.
Trump announced his endorsement of Graham on Wednesday on his social media platform Truth Social. The two are golfing partners and the Trump endorsement may keep Graham from facing any serious primary challenge in the 2026 election.
The endorsement comes more than 14 months before the primary in a reliably Republican state where Trump is very popular among the GOP voting bloc.
“Lindsey has been a wonderful friend to me, and has always been there when I needed him,” Trump posted. “Sen. Lindsey Graham has my complete and total endorsement for reelection — he will not let you down.”
In 2020 Graham had primary challengers, but didn’t face a truly serious competitor after receiving Trump’s support. Graham carried more than 67% of the vote in the GOP primary.
South Carolina’s senior senator appears to be in a strong position headed into the 2026 campaign. At end of last year, Graham already had $15.6 million cash on hand for his reelection bid.
It has been speculated Graham could face a serious challenge after being loudly booed at Trump rallies in 2023 leading up to the 2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary.
But Trump defended Graham, who serves as Senate budget chairman and can play a key role in renewing the tax cuts from Trump’s first term.
Graham, from to time, has been publicly critical of Trump, including during the 2016 presidential campaign calling the 45th and 47th president a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot. The two became allies after Trump won the presidency, and Graham has become a proponent of Trump’s agenda.
Even so, Graham said it was a mistake for Trump pardon people who committed violent acts in the Jan. 6 capitol riot.
“President Trump’s endorsement means the world to me. I am humbled by his faith in me as a senator and as a friend,” Graham posted on X. “On a professional level, I am proud to have been there at the beginning when President Trump — through sheer force of will —achieved the greatest political comeback in American history. On a personal level, I genuinely enjoy our friendship. He’s an awesome golfing buddy, who I have yet to beat.”
