Trump calls Senate candidate Annie Andrews by an anti-transgender slur; Darline Graham says she would not have said it that way
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Trump repeatedly called South Carolina Democratic Senate nominee Annie Andrews by an anti-transgender slur while backing Sen. Darline Graham. Andrews called his remarks not presidential and dishonest; Chuck Schumer and David Beasley condemned them, and Graham distanced herself from the wording.
Read the full background
Darline Graham was appointed to the U.S. Senate in July 2026 to finish the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and won the Republican nomination in August with Donald Trump's endorsement. She faces Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November 3, 2026, general election.
On October 5, Trump endorsed Graham on Truth Social and gave Andrews a nickname built on a slur for transgender people, using a version of it three times in the post. He wrote that Andrews is in favor of transgender policies, open borders and higher taxes and would take away guns. Andrews is not transgender. Her written statement that evening did not mention Trump. The next day she told reporters in Columbia that the post was not presidential.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and David Beasley, a former Republican governor of South Carolina, condemned the post. Graham's campaign did not answer the SC Daily Gazette's request for comment, but Graham told WACH FOX that it was not how she would have said it and that Andrews supports hormone treatment to help minors transition.
Trump used the slur again at rallies for Graham in Pendleton on October 21 and in Rock Hill on October 29. Andrews said after the Pendleton rally that he had said horrible and dishonest things about her. At the Rock Hill rally, Graham told the crowd Andrews was the most radical liberal candidate ever to run for office in South Carolina.
Andrews says she opposes transgender girls and women competing in female sports and gender-transition surgery for minors. In 2022 she opposed South Carolina's Save Women's Sports Act.
People in this case
Donald TrumpDirectly involved
Annie AndrewsDirectly involved
Darline GrahamDirectly involved
Timeline
7 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 5, 2026 to November 3, 2026
October 2026
Trump endorses Graham and uses an anti-transgender slur for Andrews
Incident
In a Truth Social post endorsing Sen. Darline Graham, Trump refers to her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, with a slur for transgender people three times and says she is in favor of transgender policies, open borders and high taxes.
[01]Donald Trump
Trump endorses Sen. Darline Graham for a full Senate term and refers to her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, with a slur for transgender people three times. He says Andrews is in favor of transgender policies, open borders, defunding the police, high taxes and gun restrictions.
Trump's Truth Social post calling Annie Andrews "Annie Trannie" and endorsing Darline Graham · Donald TrumpFull post, October 5, 2026, 5:23 p.m. EDT[02]President Trump attacks Democrat Annie Andrews using anti-trans slur
WCIV report on Trump's October 5 Truth Social post. It quotes the post, Andrews's statement in response and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's post calling the attacks despicable.
Andrews, Schumer and Beasley respond
Reaction
Andrews says in a written statement that she is in the race to fight for her patients and South Carolina, then tells reporters in Columbia the post was not presidential. Chuck Schumer and former Gov. David Beasley condemn it.
[03]Annie Andrews's X post responding to Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham
Andrews's written statement on the evening of Trump's post. It says she is in the race to fight for her patients, her three kids and South Carolina and that lowering costs will take everyone working together. It does not mention Trump.
[04]'Not presidential,' SC Senate candidate says about Trump's post others called cruel and offensive
SC Daily Gazette report on reactions to Trump's post. It quotes Andrews at a Columbia campaign stop, 314 Action director Erik Polyak, former Gov. David Beasley and Darline Graham's comment to WACH FOX, and describes Andrews's past and current positions on transgender policy.
[05]Chuck Schumer's X post on Trump's attacks on Annie Andrews
Schumer quote-posts a PollTracker post reporting Trump's nickname for Andrews and calls Trump's attacks despicable.
[06]David Beasley's X post on Trump's post about Annie Andrews
Beasley, a former Republican governor of South Carolina, quote-posts a FITSNews post about Trump weighing in on the Senate race and urges voters to reject politics based on division and hate.
Trump reposts a PAC ad about Andrews's past advocacy
Incident
Trump reposts an ad by the Security is Strength political action committee that lampoons Andrews's past advocacy for transgender youth, the SC Daily Gazette reports.
[04]'Not presidential,' SC Senate candidate says about Trump's post others called cruel and offensive
SC Daily Gazette report on reactions to Trump's post. It quotes Andrews at a Columbia campaign stop, 314 Action director Erik Polyak, former Gov. David Beasley and Darline Graham's comment to WACH FOX, and describes Andrews's past and current positions on transgender policy.
Trump uses the slur again at a Pendleton rally
Incident
At a rally for Graham in Pendleton, South Carolina, Trump again refers to Andrews with the slur and calls her a radical left lunatic.
[07]Trump calls Democrat Annie Andrews a bigoted anti-trans slur at South Carolina rally for Darline Graham
The Advocate's report on Trump's October 21 rally in Pendleton, South Carolina, where he used the slur again. It also quotes Andrews's earlier interview with SCETV and an open letter from South Carolina LGBTQ+ groups about her ad on transgender athletes.
Andrews says Trump said horrible and dishonest things about her
Reaction
After a town hall in Winnsboro, Andrews says Trump said horrible, dishonest things about her at the rally.
[08]WATCH: Dr. Annie Andrews responds to Trump's comments from SC rally
WIS report and video of Andrews responding, after an October 22 town hall in Winnsboro, to Trump's remarks about her at his rally the day before.
Graham attacks Andrews and Trump repeats the slur at a Rock Hill rally
Incident
Speaking before Trump at a rally in Rock Hill, Graham calls Andrews the most radical liberal candidate ever to run for office in South Carolina and uses an expletive to describe her. Trump again refers to Andrews with the slur.
[09]'Bat s*** crazy': Darline Graham blasts Annie Andrews at Trump rally
FOX Carolina report on Darline Graham's speech before Trump took the stage at his October 29 rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, quoting her attack on Andrews.
[10]The National News Desk
The National News Desk's video of Trump's October 29 rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Trump again refers to Andrews with the slur and says she is too crazy, too dangerous and too radical to serve in the Senate.
Trump rallies for Darline Graham in South Carolina · The National News DeskTrump's remarks on Darline Graham and Annie Andrews
November 2026
Trump repeats the nickname in an Election Day post
Incident
On Election Day, Trump again endorses Graham on Truth Social and refers to Andrews by the same nickname.
[11]Donald Trump
On Election Day, Trump again endorses Graham and refers to Andrews by the same nickname, calling her reckless, radical and dangerous.
Trump's Election Day Truth Social post endorsing Darline Graham · Donald TrumpFull post, November 3, 2026, 8:23 a.m. EST
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Annie Andrews supports transgender policies that do not represent the values of South Carolina voters.
What is disputed
Andrews says she opposes transgender girls and women competing in female sports and gender-transition surgery for minors, and her campaign says she is not working to change South Carolina's ban on hormone treatments for minors. In 2022 she opposed the state's Save Women's Sports Act. Darline Graham says Andrews supports hormone treatment to help minors transition.
Sources (2)
- Trump's Truth Social post calling Annie Andrews "Annie Trannie" and endorsing Darline Graham · Donald TrumpFull post, October 5, 2026, 5:23 p.m. EDT
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 matching responses. Newest first.
Annie AndrewsDemocratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, speaking to reporters after a town hall in WinnsboroDirectly involvedBefore this statement
At a rally for Graham the day before, Trump used an anti-transgender slur to refer to Andrews and called her a fanatical transgender activist. Andrews told reporters the race was close because she had been talking with voters about gas prices, grocery prices and health care.
"Yes, he stood on that stage and said horrible things about me, dishonest things about me. If doing that was going to lower gas prices and grocery prices and keep our rural hospitals open, he can say whatever he wants to say"
CondemnedCase context: Trump calls Senate candidate Annie Andrews by an anti-transgender slur; Darline Graham says she would not have said it that way
Full statement and sources
After a town hall in Winnsboro, Andrews responds to the remarks Trump made about her at a rally the day before. She says he said horrible, dishonest things about her, and that if doing so would lower gas and grocery prices and keep rural hospitals open, he can say whatever he wants.
After the statement
She said that is not a path to solving the problems South Carolinians face, and that it says something about the weakness of her opponent that Graham needs the president to prop up her campaign.
Why this label?
The reference point is Trump's use of an anti-transgender slur for Andrews while campaigning for Darline Graham, which he repeated at the rally Andrews is responding to. Andrews calls what Trump said about her there horrible and dishonest, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Darline GrahamRepublican senator from South Carolina seeking a full term, in an interview with WACH FOXDirectly involvedBefore this statement
In a post on Monday, Trump had referred to Andrews using a derogatory term for transgender people and written that she is in favor of transgender policies.
"That's not how I would've said it, but I think it's more about the issue here. She supports hormone treatment to help minors transition."
Mixed or conditionalResponding to: Annie Andrews supports transgender policies that do not represent the values of South Carolina voters.
Full statement and sources
In an interview with WACH FOX about Trump's post, Graham says it is not how she would have said it. She says the post is more about the issue, which she describes as Andrews's support for hormone treatment to help minors transition.
After the statement
The Gazette reported that Trump's post followed the Graham campaign drawing attention to Andrews's past social media posts about her Statehouse advocacy supporting transgender youth.
Why this label?
The reference point is Trump's use of an anti-transgender slur for Andrews while campaigning for Graham. Graham distances herself from Trump's wording but says the underlying issue is Andrews's position on hormone treatment for minors, so her response is mixed.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(11)
Original text
Trump's Truth Social post calling Annie Andrews "Annie Trannie" and endorsing Darline Graham
Relevant passage: Full post, October 5, 2026, 5:23 p.m. EDT
About this source
Trump endorses Sen. Darline Graham for a full Senate term and refers to her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, with a slur for transgender people three times. He says Andrews is in favor of transgender policies, open borders, defunding the police, high taxes and gun restrictions.
- Author
- Donald J. Trump
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Trump's Election Day Truth Social post endorsing Darline Graham
Relevant passage: Full post, November 3, 2026, 8:23 a.m. EST
About this source
On Election Day, Trump again endorses Graham and refers to Andrews by the same nickname, calling her reckless, radical and dangerous.
- Author
- Donald J. Trump
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
Trump rallies for Darline Graham in South Carolina
About this source
The National News Desk's video of Trump's October 29 rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Trump again refers to Andrews with the slur and says she is too crazy, too dangerous and too radical to serve in the Senate.
- Author
- The National News Desk
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Bat s*** crazy': Darline Graham blasts Annie Andrews at Trump rally
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
FOX Carolina report on Darline Graham's speech before Trump took the stage at his October 29 rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, quoting her attack on Andrews.
- Author
- Anisa Snipes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
WATCH: Dr. Annie Andrews responds to Trump's comments from SC rally
Annie Andrews responds to reporters in Winnsboro, South Carolina, on October 22, 2026, to Trump's remarks about her at a rally the day before.
Excerpt from 0:00 to 0:47 of the WIS video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: WIS. Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Full article)
About this source
WIS report and video of Andrews responding, after an October 22 town hall in Winnsboro, to Trump's remarks about her at his rally the day before.
- Author
- WIS News 10 Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Trump calls Democrat Annie Andrews a bigoted anti-trans slur at South Carolina rally for Darline Graham
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
The Advocate's report on Trump's October 21 rally in Pendleton, South Carolina, where he used the slur again. It also quotes Andrews's earlier interview with SCETV and an open letter from South Carolina LGBTQ+ groups about her ad on transgender athletes.
- Author
- Jacob Ogles
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
David Beasley's X post on Trump's post about Annie Andrews
About this source
Beasley, a former Republican governor of South Carolina, quote-posts a FITSNews post about Trump weighing in on the Senate race and urges voters to reject politics based on division and hate.
- Author
- David M. Beasley
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Chuck Schumer's X post on Trump's attacks on Annie Andrews
About this source
Schumer quote-posts a PollTracker post reporting Trump's nickname for Andrews and calls Trump's attacks despicable.
- Author
- Chuck Schumer
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Not presidential,' SC Senate candidate says about Trump's post others called cruel and offensive
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
SC Daily Gazette report on reactions to Trump's post. It quotes Andrews at a Columbia campaign stop, 314 Action director Erik Polyak, former Gov. David Beasley and Darline Graham's comment to WACH FOX, and describes Andrews's past and current positions on transgender policy.
- Author
- Katharine Wilson
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
President Trump attacks Democrat Annie Andrews using anti-trans slur
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
WCIV report on Trump's October 5 Truth Social post. It quotes the post, Andrews's statement in response and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's post calling the attacks despicable.
- Author
- Ian Kayanja
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Annie Andrews's X post responding to Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham
About this source
Andrews's written statement on the evening of Trump's post. It says she is in the race to fight for her patients, her three kids and South Carolina and that lowering costs will take everyone working together. It does not mention Trump.
- Author
- Annie Andrews
- Published
- Accessed
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Trump calls Senate candidate Annie Andrews by an anti-transgender slur; Darline Graham says she would not have said it that way
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/trump-anti-transgender-slur-annie-andrews
The Dispute Index. "Trump calls Senate candidate Annie Andrews by an anti-transgender slur; Darline Graham says she would not have said it that way". First published: 2026-11-04. Last updated: 2026-11-04. https://disputeindex.com/cases/trump-anti-transgender-slur-annie-andrews