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Trump backs 'honest' Sen. Darline Graham after national security debate flop

New York Post · back to the audit

President Trump defended Sen. Darline Graham as he traveled to South Carolina Friday in an attempt to rescue her campaign after she stunningly said at a debate this week that "I'm not that informed on national security."

"All she was is being honest. She's very smart, and she was being honest," Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing for the rally in Myrtle Beach.

"I mean, she's going to do what the military wants and really what the president wants. She understands that national security is my thing, and she is a terrific woman."

Graham was appointed to her late brother Lindsey's Senate seat -- at Trump's urging -- on July 14 by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.

She received 32.7% of the vote in the initial primary round of voting on Aug. 11, with Norman taking 24.6% and Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) coming in third with 19.7%.

The northeast of the state -- where Trump is visiting -- voted heavily for Fry in the first round, underscoring the campaign's decision to hold the rally in Myrtle Beach.