President Donald Trump has thrown his considerable political weight behind South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the states Republican gubernatorial primary, delivering a late but potentially decisive boost just days before voters head to the polls.
In a detailed post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lauded Evette as a steadfast ally and one of the earliest backers of his 2024 presidential bid, underscoring her loyalty at a moment when the GOP base remains firmly aligned with the president. According to Newsmax, Trump wrote that "Pam Evette is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning," emphasizing that she "never wavered, never let me down" and was the first candidate in the South Carolina governors race to endorse his return to the White House.
Trumps endorsement framed Evette as both a proven statewide official and a private-sector success story, highlighting her tenure as lieutenant governor and her background as a businesswoman.
He asserted that she has "the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the people of her wonderful State, and our Nation," language clearly aimed at Republican voters who prioritize executive competence and conservative economic stewardship.
The president outlined a familiar America First agenda he believes Evette will advance from the governors mansion, stressing growth, deregulation, and traditional conservative priorities.
He said Evette would work to expand the economy, cut taxes and regulations, bolster American manufacturing, strengthen border security, protect election integrity, support veterans, and defend Second Amendment rights.
Trump capped his message with an emphatic seal of approval, signaling to his supporters that Evette is his unequivocal choice in a crowded field. "Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Trump wrote, echoing the language he has used in past endorsements that often proved decisive in Republican primaries.
In a notable aside, Trump also went out of his way to praise current South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a longtime ally, and floated the prospect of a political role for McMasters son. "A BIG added plus for Pam is that, I hear, Henry McMaster, Jr., the brilliant and very competent son of Henry and Peggy, will be running with her as the next Lieutenant Governor," Trump wrote, before adding a characteristically exuberant flourish: "I LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA!"
Trumps move represents his first formal intervention in what has become a high-profile Republican primary, featuring Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and businessman Rom Reddy. The race has drawn national attention, with polling indicating a tight contest among several candidates as the June 9 primary approaches, and with conservative voters weighing both ideological purity and perceived loyalty to Trump.
For weeks, speculation had swirled around whether Trump would back Mace, who has frequently aligned herself with the president on key issues and has cultivated a public image as a Trump-friendly conservative. However, reporting suggested that influential figures within Trumps orbit had grown wary of her, particularly over her criticism of aspects of the administrations foreign policy and her vocal calls for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Axios reported earlier this month that some Trump allies were actively working to block Mace from securing the coveted endorsement, reflecting deeper tensions inside the party over who truly represents the MAGA brand. "Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman sabotaged Trump when it mattered most," one source close to the White House told Axios, adding pointedly, "Their reward shouldn't be the governor's mansion."
Another operative close to Trumps inner circle told the outlet that Mace had repeatedly sought the presidents backing even as she publicly criticized his team over the handling of the Epstein matter.
That operative condemned what was described as her "dishonest attack on the administration in regards to the Epstein case," portraying Mace as attempting to have it both ways with Trumps base and the broader electorate.
Maces camp has pushed back hard against these characterizations, arguing that the attacks are driven more by consultant politics than by grassroots sentiment. A senior adviser to Mace told Axios: "The only people worried about Nancy Mace becoming governor are the consultants planting this story because they know the Trump endorsement isn't coming for their candidate."
The endorsement of Evette, rather than a sitting member of Congress like Mace or Norman, underscores Trumps continued preference for candidates he views as personally loyal and ideologically aligned with his America First agenda. For conservatives in South Carolina, the choice now crystallizes between a lieutenant governor closely tied to Trumps movement and rivals who, while generally conservative, are viewed by some in Trumps camp as less reliable on key issues.
Evettes emphasis on economic growth, tax relief, regulatory rollback, and strong border and election security dovetails with the priorities of many Republican voters who want their state to serve as a bulwark against federal overreach. Her business background also appeals to free-market conservatives who favor private-sector experience over career politics, particularly at a time when many on the right are skeptical of entrenched political elites.
Trumps praise for Henry McMaster and his son suggests an effort to unify different strands of the South Carolina GOP establishment behind Evette, rather than ignite an intraparty civil war. By signaling support for a ticket that could include McMasters son, Trump appears to be blending his populist base with a more traditional Republican lineage, potentially strengthening Evettes appeal across the party.
With the primary looming, the central question is whether Trumps "Complete and Total Endorsement" will be enough to propel Evette past well-known rivals in a fragmented field. What is clear is that, in a state where Trump remains deeply popular and where conservative voters prioritize loyalty, border security, economic freedom, and the right to bear arms, his decision to back Evette has instantly reshaped the contours of the race and put her squarely at the center of South Carolinas Republican future.
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