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President Donald Trump directed an anti-transgender slur at Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina, in a post published Monday on his Truth Social platform. Trump used the term “trannie” three times to describe Andrews, who is not transgender, while urging South Carolina voters to support Republican Sen. Darline Graham instead.
In the same post, Trump wrote that Andrews “is not for South Carolina” and called on the state to reject her in the upcoming election. The White House did not offer any explanation for the language. When NBC News asked for comment, officials directed reporters to Trump’s social media post.
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Andrews Responds by Focusing on Families
Andrews chose not to directly address the slur in her response. Instead, she issued a statement first shared with NBC News, saying she would “work with anyone to put South Carolina first.”
“As a mom and a pediatrician, I’m in this race to fight for my patients, my three kids, and South Carolina,” Andrews said. She added that lowering costs and improving life for families across the state would require everyone working together. “If you care more about your bills than the politics in Washington, this campaign is for you,” she said.
Andrews has previously stated that she does not support gender-affirming surgery for minors or transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Graham’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s post.
Condemnation from Both Parties
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, strongly criticized Trump’s remarks. Spokesperson Ramiro Sarmiento called them “the sad, disgusting, pathetic diatribes of a lame duck president with record-low approvals.” He added that Trump’s approval ratings were so low that he was “having to campaign in deep red territory in a desperate attempt to shore up support ahead of the midterms.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, also condemned the attack Monday night. He called Trump’s remarks “despicable” and described Andrews as “a mom and pediatrician who’s always put her community first.” Schumer said on X that Andrews was “exactly who South Carolina needs representing them in the Senate.”
Criticism also came from within the Republican Party. Former South Carolina Governor David Beasley, a Republican, publicly rebuked Trump over the attack. “This is abhorrent,” Beasley wrote on X Monday night. “Elections don’t have to be about cruelty and lies. South Carolina deserves better.” He urged voters to “reject politics based on division and hate.”
A Competitive Race in Traditionally Republican Territory
Darline Graham currently holds the Senate seat after Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to fill the vacancy left by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who died in July. She secured the Republican nomination by defeating Rep. Ralph Norman in a primary runoff by nearly five percentage points. Throughout her campaign, Graham has relied heavily on Trump’s endorsement.
South Carolina has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in nearly three decades. However, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report recently shifted its rating of the race, moving it from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican.” That shift suggests the contest is drawing more competitive attention than originally expected. Trump frequently uses mocking nicknames to attack politicians he opposes, and his latest post fits a pattern of personal insults directed at Democratic candidates ahead of the midterm elections.
