Trump takes – President Donald Trump celebrated South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s Republican gubernatorial primary runoff victory Tuesday night—despite having backed Wilson’s opponent, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, earlier in the same race and then endorsing both fina
South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary turned into a test of Trump’s influence—right up until the moment the president claimed a win.
On Tuesday night. Donald Trump posted a graphic on Truth Social showing him alongside Alan Wilson. the South Carolina Attorney General who won the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff by defeating Lt. Governor Pamela Evette. The message was blunt: “ALAN WILSON WINS!. Endorsed by President Trump!” In the image, Wilson’s photo appears markedly smaller than Trump’s.
It was a kind of credit-taking that landed awkwardly against the backdrop of what Trump had already done in the same race. Earlier this month. Trump backed Evette in the primary. writing on Truth Social: “Pam Evette is a good friend. fighter. and WINNER. and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina. ” adding. “Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”.
When the first round of voting did not produce a majority, the contest moved to the runoff. The two advancing candidates were Evette and Wilson. Last week, Trump’s posts undercut his earlier Evette endorsement. On Friday. he posted that both remaining candidates had “amazing careers” and “have been with me from the beginning.” He then wrote that they were “MAGA and America First all the way. ” and said he was hoping both would reach the runoff.
Trump’s explanation for what came next was personal and practical: “I can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other. ” he wrote. then endorsed both: “therefore. I am going to Endorse. for Governor of South Carolina. both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!. It’s a Wealth of Riches – With either one you can’t go wrong. Vote for Pam or Alan — They will not let you down!. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”.
For Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), that shuffle of endorsements quickly became a public fight. She had hoped to secure Trump’s backing for Evette and went so far as to insist she had it by posting an AI-generated image of Mace and Trump giving a thumbs up.
Mace later wrote on social media: “Pamela Evette is NOT ENDORSED by DONALD TRUMP,” adding, “Do not believe her LIES.” Hours after that, Trump endorsed Evette.
By Tuesday night, the dynamic shifted again, this time in Wilson’s favor—along with the president’s message. After Wilson defeated Evette in the runoff. Trump took the moment to celebrate the outcome as proof of his endorsement. using the same Truth Social platform where his earlier support for Evette had been tied to sweeping assurances that she “will never let you down.”.
For many South Carolina Republicans watching the primary play out in real time. the timeline was impossible to ignore: Trump backed Evette in the primary. endorsed both Evette and Wilson after the runoff field was set. and then—when Wilson won—posted a victory graphic explicitly linking the win to his endorsement.
Donald Trump Alan Wilson Pamela Evette South Carolina gubernatorial primary Truth Social Republican primary runoff Nancy Mace
So he endorsed both?? That seems like cheating lol.
He takes credit for everything, it’s like a template. First he’s with Evette then suddenly Wilson is the winner and boom graphic. Not even trying to hide it.
I don’t get how it’s a “backed both” thing. Like if he endorsed Wilson first then that’s normal right? But they say he backed Evette earlier… so is that like he switched sides or is he just saying both are MAGA? either way the picture being smaller??? sounds petty.
So he endorsed both… but somehow only one wins??
Truth Social graphics always look weird, like the AG is tiny or whatever. But honestly this is why politicians do it, can’t lose. If he endorsed one and they lost he’d get blamed. If both win then he claims influence. Also SC politics is always messy, remember Myrtle Beach commercials? anyway.
This is why I don’t trust politics, they just pick whoever wins and then act like they caused it. Like how convenient. Truth Social graphic looked weird too with him front and center.
Wait I thought he was behind Evette first, and now Wilson? Sounds like he got caught lying then did damage control. Also “can’t hurt one by endorsing the other” like.. that doesn’t even make sense. If he’s MAGA all the way then why flip.
Maybe Wilson winning is just proof South Carolina saw the truth and picked the better candidate, not the endorsement. But the tiny Wilson photo next to Trump is like come on 😂 It’s giving “I’m the boss” energy even though he backed Evette at first. Honestly seems petty, like watching a scoreboard turn.