Trump Kicks His Top Ally To The Curb

President Donald Trump shook up South Carolina’s governor’s race Friday by endorsing Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, passing over two high-profile Republican contenders, including Rep. Nancy Mace.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Evette as a loyal supporter of his America First agenda and described her as a proven fighter who would serve South Carolina well as governor.

The endorsement came as a surprise to many political observers because Mace and Rep. Ralph Norman had both been viewed as strong contenders in the Republican primary race.

Mace quickly responded on social media, suggesting her outspoken calls for greater transparency regarding government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have contributed to Trump’s decision not to support her campaign.

The South Carolina congresswoman said she had pushed for full disclosure because voters deserve answers and insisted she would not abandon her principles in exchange for a political endorsement.

Mace previously helped lead bipartisan efforts supporting legislation aimed at increasing public access to records connected to the Epstein investigation, a measure that was ultimately signed into law by Trump.

The president’s endorsement also represented a setback for Norman, who had recently shown signs of momentum in polling.

Recent surveys indicate the Republican primary remains highly competitive. Evette and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson have been running near the top of the field, while Norman and Mace continue to attract significant support among Republican voters.

South Carolina Republicans are scheduled to choose their nominee during the state primary election on June 9.

Trump also made headlines Friday with another endorsement in Oklahoma’s governor’s race, backing former state budget secretary Mike Mazzei despite his trailing position in several earlier polls.

The president praised Mazzei as a strong conservative who would focus on border security, law enforcement, agriculture, veterans, and Second Amendment protections.

Mazzei welcomed the endorsement, calling it an honor and thanking Trump for his support.

Polling in Oklahoma suggests the race remains competitive, with Mazzei attempting to close the gap against Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former House Speaker Charles McCall ahead of the June 16 primary.

The endorsements reflect Trump’s continuing influence over Republican primaries across the country. The president has frequently highlighted victories by candidates he backs while criticizing Republicans who oppose him on key issues.

Among those losses was Rep. Thomas Massie, who recently lost a primary challenge after repeatedly breaking with Trump on several policy matters. Massie had also been involved in efforts to increase transparency surrounding Epstein-related records.

Following his defeat, Massie warned that internal Republican battles could weaken the party heading into the general election, arguing that removing independent-minded conservatives from the party could carry political risks in November.