Crowd Boos at Mention of Trump in Ralph Norman's Speech

Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS Supporters of losing Republican candidate Ralph Norman soundly booed President Donald Trump during a fiery concession speech.

Senator Darline Graham, 62, pulled off a victory in the South Carolina Republican special primary runoff on Tuesday after Trump went all in to avoid a humiliating loss, including hosting a rally for her in person last week and repeatedly urging his Truth Social followers to vote for her.

The president posted on Truth Social at 8:44 p.m., declaring, “Darline Graham Wins! Endorsed by President Trump.” Graham scored 52.5 percent of the votes to Norman’s 47.6 percent, according to the Associated Press .

Graham was appointed to the Senate after the sudden death last month of her brother, Sen.

Lindsey Graham, at age 71, but had to fight a primary to contest a full six-year term.

She told supporters in her victory speech, “Our victory would not have been possible without you.

South Carolina truly is Trump Country.” However, the mood in Norman’s camp was starkly different.

The 73-year-old took the stage in a concession speech where he made his feelings on the president’s intervention clear.

He started by saying he had not prepared a concession speech, adding that he believed a loss “was not in the cards.” The audience cheered when Graham said of the result, “I hate it for the state.” “But you know, the president got involved.

He has that right.

That’s his prerogative,” Norman continued.

At that point, loud boos rang out from the assembled crowd.

“Well y’all, his policies are good,” Norman said of Trump.

“I never understood why he got in this race… but it is what it is, and I’ll accept it… Something good will come out of this.