Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost to Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate runoff last week, escalated his criticism of President Donald Trump for throwing his weight into the race.
The South Carolina Republican, who had suggested to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in January 2021 that Trump invoke "Marshall Law" to hold onto power despite his election loss, ripped into the 80-year-old president Monday in a two-minute conversation with reporters, according to The Daily Beast.
"I'm a supporter," Norman said. "To get in a primary, to spend the millions of dollars he did — it's his right to do that — but as many places as we're in trouble with liberals, and he comes to South Carolina? Ronald Reagan would not do that."
Norman agreed that Trump's involvement was the deciding factor in Graham winning 52.4 percent of the vote to his 47.6 percent, and he questioned his GOP rival's qualifications for the job.
"But to get on the phone and call congressmen to switch their votes, to promote somebody that — she was kin with Lindsey, but he didn't know a thing about her," Norman said. "You all saw the debates. But he's got every right to do that. It was just shocking to me."
Trump had traveled to South Carolina to rally with Graham on the Friday before the election and then took part in a telerally the following Monday; he repeatedly promoted her on social media, and his super PAC, MAGA Inc., spent more than $827,000 on voter outreach, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
"I don't understand it. I do not understand it," Norman said when asked why the PAC would spend on a GOP primary instead of swing-state races against Democrats. "He has done so much for this country, but this was — to get into a primary in South Carolina is shocking. To spend $800,000 the Friday before Tuesday, the vote, is shocking."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Monday's remarks echoed Norman's concession speech, where mentioning Trump's name drew boos. "I don't like it, but I'll accept it," he said at the time.
Graham is heavily favored to hold the seat in November. Norman, who isn't seeking reelection to the House, declined to endorse her Monday, telling a reporter who asked how undecided voters should vote: "Vote for Ralph Norman."
Norman lost a bid for governor before entering the Senate race.