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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump's Endorsement Could Set the Stage for a Historic Senate Succession

Trump endorsed her for a full Senate term after she was appointed to fill her late brother’s seat.

Trump's Endorsement Could Set the Stage for a Historic Senate Succession
Image · Yahoo News

SOURCE CHECK

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Host credibilityYahoo News76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026

Credibility rates Yahoo News, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

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Republished from TIME, with credit to the original publisher.

TIME85/100 HIGH

35 stories · 82–88 · updated Oct 5, 2026

This is TIME's own score, and this article is credited to TIME. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.

Yahoo Newsvia TIME
Jul 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed newly appointed South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham Nordone for a full term, potentially reshaping a crowded Republican primary. If she wins, she would be the first senator to succeed a sibling in the chamber.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Darline Graham R · SC · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Graham in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Graham’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Darline Graham
R · SC · SEN

Newly appointed South Carolina senator and potential candidate for a full term

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Graham Nordone’s potential Senate campaign

Trump's version of this story ↗
Rick Scott
R · FL · SEN

Florida senator who backed Norman

Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Late senator whose vacant seat is being filled

Nancy Mace
R · SC-1

South Carolina representative and possible Senate candidate

Russell Fry
R · SC-7

South Carolina representative who hinted at a possible Senate run

Pete Ricketts
R · NE · SEN

Nebraska senator appointed to replace Benjamin Sasse

Mark Lynch
R · SC

Businessman and declared Republican contender

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senate minority leader referenced in connection with medical leave

Robert Menendez
Former U.S. Senator (D-NJ)

Former New Jersey senator whose seat was filled by George Helmy

Ralph Norman
R · SC-5

South Carolina representative and declared Senate candidate

Benjamin Sasse
Former U.S. Senator (R-NE)

Former Nebraska senator whose resignation is cited as an example of a Senate succession

George S. Helmy
Former U.S. Senator (D-NJ)

Former New Jersey chief of staff appointed to replace Sen. Bob Menendez

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator who praised Graham Nordone’s early days in office

Democratic candidate expected to face the Republican nominee

Mike Lee
R · UT · SEN

Utah senator who backed Norman

ALSO MENTIONED  Henry McMaster, South Carolina governor who appointed Graham Nordone to the vacant Senate seat; Jim Pillen, Nebraska governor who appointed Pete Ricketts; Phil Murphy, New Jersey governor who appointed George Helmy

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