Trump reveals who he's eyeing to replace Lindsey Graham
Trump praised Fry as a possible long-term successor and backed Darline Graham for the interim appointment.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Yahoo News, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
Yahoo News is an established national news publisher, though this article appears to draw on reporting attributed to Fox News Digital. The article names its sources but does not identify an author here.
- Source type — Established national news publisher.
- Transparency — The article identifies comments and reporting attributed to Trump and a source familiar with Fry’s planning.
- Author attribution — No author is identified in the article information.
- Editorial standards — The publisher is an established newsroom, but the article gives limited detail about its reporting process.
The report includes direct remarks from Trump and attributed information from a source familiar with Fry’s plans. It notes that Fry and the White House did not respond, but relies on limited sourcing and leaves the status of a possible endorsement unresolved.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The story presents Trump’s praise and reporting about Fry’s possible plans, while also noting that neither Fry nor the White House commented and that no endorsement has been announced. It offers little detail from other prospective candidates.
- Counterarguments presented — The story includes a source’s caution that speculation is not confirmation, but no substantive opposing view.
- Source diversity — Trump and an unnamed source familiar with Fry’s planning provide the main information.
- Omitted context — Other candidates are mentioned, but their views and campaign plans receive little attention.
- Loaded language — The language is generally neutral, though it repeats the characterization of Trump’s endorsement as coveted.
The article reports Trump’s comments and the possible candidacy in largely neutral terms, while noting that the endorsement remains unconfirmed.
- Language tone — Mostly straightforward, descriptive language.
- Source selection — Includes Trump’s remarks and attributed information about Fry’s plans, as well as the lack of comment from the White House and Fry.
- Framing — Frames the story around a possible endorsement and Senate race, without taking a clear partisan position.
Republished with credit
Republished from Fox News, with credit to the original publisher.
1,147 stories · 69.6–70.1 · updated Oct 6, 2026
This is Fox News's own score, and this article is credited to Fox News. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.
President Donald Trump signaled that he may favor Rep. Russell Fry as a long-term successor to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, while Fry has discussed a possible campaign with White House operatives. Trump also backed Graham’s sister for the interim Senate appointment.
Trump praised Fry in an interview, saying he could see the South Carolina congressman taking the seat and describing him as talented. A source familiar with Fry’s planning said he had spoken with White House operatives about a possible run. Neither the White House nor Fry responded to a request for comment, and another source cautioned that speculation about Trump’s preferred candidate would remain speculation until he makes an announcement.
The special election is scheduled for Aug. 11. Trump backed Darline Graham to serve for the remainder of her brother’s term; Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her, and Trump said he believed she would serve only on an interim basis. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman are also considering the race, and Norman has asked Trump for his endorsement.
Community verdict
15 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →President signaling possible support for Fry and backing Darline Graham for the interim Senate seat
South Carolina representative considering a run for the open Senate seat
Fry's version of this story ↗Late South Carolina senator whose seat is being filled
South Carolina representative considering a run for the Senate seat
South Carolina representative considering a run for the Senate seat
Former South Carolina representative defeated by Fry in a Republican primary
Senator-designate appointed to serve the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s term
Part of a bigger story
34 OUTLETSOutlets agree President Donald Trump paid tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham following his sudden death at 71 and recommended Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to temporarily fill his Senate seat. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Trump's past friction with Graham, his wandering public tributes, and emerging Republican squabbles over the vacancy. Center outlets concentrate on Graham's role as Trump's key Senate intermediary and the procedural disruptions to the party's agenda. Right-leaning outlets, such as Fox News, highlight Trump's personal mourning, Graham's conservative battles, and their final discussion concerning voting legislation.
- ARTICLES
- 49
- OUTLETS
- 34
- AVG CRED
- 67
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