President Donald Trump has sparked controversy once again after using an anti-trans slur to attack Democratic South Carolina Senate candidate Annie Andrews.
“Annie ‘Trannie’ Andrews is running against our wonderful Darline Graham for the Senate in South Carolina,” Trump, 80, wrote via TruthSocial on Monday, October 5. “For years, my dear friend Lindsey [Graham] would say that, ‘Darline is the finest, most reliable and one of the smartest people I have ever known.’ He would then always add, ‘Also, the most loyal!’ Oftentimes I would be upset with Lindsey for saying this, because I thought I had all of those qualities.”
The commander in chief continued, “In any event, Darline is a high quality person, maybe the Highest, and Annie Trannie is not, in particular, as it pertains to representing the Values of the Great People of South Carolina.”
Trump claimed Andrews, 45, is in favor of “transgender for everyone, open borders, defunding the police, high taxes, a weak military and will absolutely fight to take your guns away” — a common attack the president uses against Democratic opponents without any evidence.
“Trannie is not for South Carolina, and South Carolina must show, in the upcoming Election, that it is not for her,” he concluded. “VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM — SHE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT, AND WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
In response to Trump’s post, Andrews released a statement to Us that stated, “As a mom and a pediatrician, I’m in this race to fight for my patients, my three kids and South Carolina. And I’m going to work with anyone to put South Carolina first, because lowering costs and making life better for families across our state is going to take all of us working together. If you care more about your bills than the politics in Washington, this campaign is for you.”
When asked for comment, the White House referred Us to Trump’s social media post.
According to her campaign website, Andrews — a physician who has previously stated she does not support access to gender-affirming surgery for minors or the ability for transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports — is running for the U.S. Senate “because families are struggling in ways that we should never accept as normal.”
“Whether it’s the cost of groceries, the price of child care, or access to affordable, quality healthcare, I see the impacts every day,” her site stated while outlining her policies. “It’s time for leaders who understand what’s at stake and are ready to fight for it.”
The president’s attack comes amid record-low approval numbers and concern among GOP politicians and pundits regarding the upcoming midterm elections. According to one poll, conducted by the conservative-leaning firm Trafalgar Group, Andrews and her Republican opponent are in a near-tie as November elections near.
Since Trump’s TruthSocial post, politicians from both sides of the aisle have condemned the president’s remarks.
“Trump’s attacks on Annie Andrews are despicable,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote via X on Monday. “Annie Andrews is a mom and pediatrician who’s always put her community first — and she’s exactly who South Carolina needs representing them in the Senate.”
Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley, a Republican, also criticized the president for his attack, asking voters to “reject politics based on division and hate.”
“This is abhorrent. Elections don’t have to be about cruelty and lies,” he wrote via X. “South Carolina deserves better. I urge voters to look at the merits of each candidate and cast their vote accordingly. … While South Carolinians can strongly disagree with one another, we can do so civilly and with honest intentions for the betterment of our communities and well being of our families.”
