Conservative voters are fed up—and a top Republican senator is now in serious political danger.
A major GOP primary battle is brewing in South Carolina as longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham faces a fierce challenge from the right. Former Lt. Gov. André Bauer, a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, has officially announced he will run for Senate in 2026—and he’s not pulling punches.
“Lindsey Graham has lost his way,” Bauer declared. “South Carolinians deserve a bold, unapologetic conservative—not a globalist who’s been in Washington too long.”
🔥 MAGA Movement Rises Again in South Carolina
Bauer’s announcement sent shockwaves through the Republican Party. As a wealthy businessman and grassroots favorite, Bauer has long championed Trump’s MAGA movement, border security, and cutting reckless government spending. He was one of the first in the nation to endorse Trump in 2016, standing firm with the America First platform ever since.
Bauer’s campaign emphasized his deep loyalty to President Trump:
“André has stood shoulder to shoulder with President Trump on every major issue. He’s not afraid to fight the radical Left—or weak Republicans.”
In 2023, Bauer stood proudly with Trump at the South Carolina Statehouse, when the 45th president announced his leadership team in the critical early-voting state. Trump praised Bauer as “a friend and a winner.”
WATCH:
Today, I am officially announcing my campaign for U.S. Senate.
— André Bauer (@AndreBauerSC) July 2, 2025
As a proven conservative fighter, I will unapologetically stand with President Trump and the America First agenda and will fight to put South Carolina first — 100% guaranteed!
Join the fight: https://t.co/GWn9xW9i9g pic.twitter.com/jRS0l1kEGN
🇺🇸 Graham’s Flip-Flop History Raises Conservative Eyebrows
Sen. Graham, who officially launched his re-election bid earlier this year, has had a complicated relationship with Trump. Though he became a close ally during Trump’s first term, many conservatives remember when Graham trashed Trump in 2016 during the GOP primary.
Over the years, Graham has drawn criticism for his stances on:
- Illegal immigration and amnesty
- Global military interventions
- Climate change regulations
- Bipartisan compromises with Democrats
Bauer wasted no time calling him out.
“For 30 years, Lindsey Graham has voted for bloated spending, foreign regime-change wars, and open-border policies,” Bauer said. “That’s not conservatism—it’s betrayal.”
💰 The One Big Beautiful Bill—and a Big Political Gamble
Just before Bauer’s official campaign launch, Graham took to social media to brag about helping President Trump’s latest legislation—the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—pass the Senate by a single vote, thanks to Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaker.
“I just had a great call with President @realDonaldTrump about the bill,” Graham posted, adding he was proud to help lead it through the Budget Committee.
But MAGA conservatives weren’t impressed. Many see Graham’s sudden alignment with Trump as too little, too late—a political move to save himself in a state where loyalty to Trump runs deep.
🎯 Bauer Hits Graham Where It Hurts
Bauer’s campaign hammered Graham for:
- Supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants
- Sending U.S. tax dollars overseas
- Voting for trillions in new debt
- Promoting endless foreign wars
“Lindsey Graham has become the poster child for the D.C. Swamp,” Bauer said. “It’s time to drain it—for good.”
🔁 Graham Campaign Fires Back, But MAGA Momentum Builds
In response, Graham’s campaign spokeswoman Abby Zilch slammed Bauer, accusing him of chasing titles.
“This is his sixth campaign—he’s just trying to make himself relevant,” she claimed. “It’s not about South Carolina. It’s about André Bauer.”
But many conservative voters aren’t buying it.
In deep-red South Carolina, where Republicans dominate statewide elections, the real battle is in the primary. And in 2026, the Trump-endorsed MAGA base could finally turn on one of their own—if they believe Lindsey Graham no longer stands with them.
