‘Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot’: Trump's appeal to voters ahead of midterms
Donald Trump urged South Carolina voters to treat the upcoming Senate runoff as if he were on the ballot to support Republican candidate Darline Graham. Trump defended Graham's lack of foreign policy experience following a debate performance that drew criticism.
Why it matters
The event serves as a test of Trump's political influence and his ability to mobilize voters for candidates he has endorsed.
US President Donald Trump on Friday urged South Carolina Republicans to “pretend” he was on the ballot and turn out to vote for Darline Graham in Tuesday’s Senate runoff, using his own political popularity to rally support for the Republican political newcomer.Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, Trump said Republican candidates often struggle to attract the same turnout when he himself is not contesting an election, and urged his supporters to treat the Senate race as though his name appeared on the ballot.“The problem that we have is, they say that Trump does great when he’s on the ballot, but when he’s not on the ballot, his people don’t come and they don’t vote for senators, congressmen and other Republicans,” Trump said.“So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote.
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