Trump Endorsement Streak Snapped in Iowa, Rebounds in South Carolina

President Donald Trump's endorsement power hit a roadblock in Iowa's Republican gubernatorial primary, but it didn't stay down for long. One week after Rep. Randy Feenstra fell short despite Trump's backing, the president's clout over the GOP was back on display in South Carolina.

Feenstra Falls Short Despite Late Trump Endorsement

Trump's eleventh-hour endorsement of Feenstra in the race to succeed retiring Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn't enough to push the three-term congressman to victory. Feenstra was narrowly edged out by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who built a powerful coalition of his own.

Lahn secured backing from the political wings of MAHA, the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Turning Point USA, the influential conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk. The upset signals that grassroots energy and coalition building can still overcome even a presidential endorsement in Iowa.

Evette Advances to Runoff in South Carolina

Down in the Palmetto State, Trump's endorsed candidate fared better. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette finished first in a crowded GOP gubernatorial primary field, clinching one of two spots in the race for the nomination, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

Evette, who repeatedly highlighted Trump's support throughout her campaign, now advances to a June 23 Republican runoff against Attorney General Alan Wilson. The two will battle for the chance to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. Since no candidate cleared 50% of the primary vote, the runoff will determine who becomes the clear favorite in the solidly red state's general election.

Trump praised Evette as an America First Patriot and a WINNER when he announced his endorsement, which came on the same day he backed Feenstra in Iowa.

Graham Avoids Runout With Trump's Help

In South Carolina's GOP Senate primary, longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham avoided a runoff altogether, winning a majority of the vote against five challengers. The AP confirmed Graham's outright victory on Tuesday.

Graham faced primary challenges from several candidates, including conservative businessman Mark Lynch, who targeted the senator over his support for the war in Iran. Lynch attracted backing from some MAGA leaders who have been critical of the president.

Graham's campaign and allied political groups spent nearly $20 million highlighting Trump's support. The president also joined Graham and Evette for a primary eve tele-rally to rally the base.

Epstein Files Controversy Surrounds Mace

Rep. Nancy Mace, who competed for the gubernatorial nomination, said her push for the Justice Department to release files related to its probe into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cost her Trump's endorsement.

I know I put the likelihood of an endorsement on the line when I demanded transparency on the Epstein files. I demanded it because you deserved the truth, ALL OF IT.

Mace wrote on social media platform X, pointing to her advocacy for government transparency as the deciding factor.

Running Mate Drama Fizzles Out

Trump's endorsement of Evette came with a notable suggestion. He said he expected her to choose Henry McMaster Jr., the governor's son, as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

The comment drew blowback in South Carolina political circles, with speculation that Gov. McMaster, who is in his 10th year leading the state, was trying to give his son a political boost. McMaster denied any deal or pressure, and Evette said she wouldn't name a running mate until after the primary.

On Friday, the younger McMaster took himself out of contention, saying it was incredibly humbling to be mentioned but that now is simply not the right time. The episode didn't appear to slow Evette's momentum.

What's Next

The winner of the Evette-Wilson runoff on June 23 will face state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, who secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, in November's general election.

For Iowa voters, the results in both states offer a clear takeaway. Trump's endorsement remains a powerful force in Republican politics, but it isn't unbeatable. The Iowa result shows that conservative candidates who build strong grassroots coalitions around movement-driven issues like MAHA can compete with, and even beat, the establishment. As the 2026 cycle heats up, expect to see more clashes between Trump's endorsement power and the rising populist movements reshaping the GOP.