Trump Rallies in South Carolina as Graham's Senate Race Tightens Against Andrews

President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday, a few days before the midterm election, as polls showed Republican Sen. Darline Graham in a virtual tie with Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. It was Trump's second trip to the state in less than two weeks. Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and an upset in the state was unthinkable just a few months ago. Ahead of the visit, the White House highlighted five illegal immigrants apprehended in South Carolina. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis said Democrats had allowed millions of unvetted illegal immigrants into the country. Trump aimed to boost Republican enthusiasm, especially for Michael Whatley, a Senate candidate elsewhere. A House Republican called the close race embarrassing, noting Republicans won the seat by 18 points and saying Graham is dragging Republicans down the ticket.

The Blaze and The Daily Signal frame the story around Trump. The Blaze leads with his second trip in under two weeks, calls it taking no chances, and cites polls showing a tight race for Lindsey Graham's sister. The Daily Signal's exclusive leads with the White House's five arrests and Bis's statement blaming Democrats, and the excerpt does not mention the polling. The New York Times centers on Graham herself, using her nervousness in its headline and the virtual tie with Andrews, and does not mention the rally or arrests. All three agree the race has tightened in a normally red state. The Hill stands apart by quoting a House Republican who criticizes Graham and says the speaker had to come to the state to help her, a view of intraparty tension the other outlets do not carry.