Trump snubs Nancy Mace, endorses primary rival Pamela Evette for South Carolina governor

WASHINGTON, DC: The cracks within Donald Trump's political orbit appear to be widening, with the president turning his back on another steadfast loyalist.

In a surprising political snub, he bypassed longtime ally Nancy Mace and threw his support behind her rival, Pamela Evette, in South Carolina’s closely watched gubernatorial race.

The endorsement came just days after South Carolina lawmakers ended a special session without acting on a proposed congressional map that would have dismantled the state's only majority-Black district and strengthened Republican control of its House delegation.

Trump calls Nancy Mace’s rival 'fighter and winner'

In a crowded Republican field that includes Mace, Evette, Rep Ralph Norman (R-SC), Attorney General Alan Wilson, and businessman Rom Reddy, Trump backed the South Carolina governor on Friday, May 29, lauding her as “a good friend, fighter, and WINNER.”

“Highly respected and very popular Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Pam Evette, is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning. She crisscrossed South Carolina and other States for me, and I said, at the time, that this is truly something which I cannot forget!” the president wrote in a Truth Social post.

“Now Pam is running to be the next Governor of South Carolina, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, getting the Highest Vote, BY FAR, in the State's History,” he added.

“Your walk down that golden escalator is what propelled me into politics,” Evette said on social media in response. “I am incredibly grateful for your support and will never let you down.”

Nancy Mace accuses Pamela Evette of lying

Trump's endorsement of Evette appeared to strike a nerve with Mace. The longtime conservative firebrand accused Evette of lying about the president's endorsement.

“Pamela Evette is NOT ENDORSED BY DONALD TRUMP. She’s LYING,” Mace wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

She released another statement to the South Carolina voters, saying, “I’ve stood up against Republicans and Democrats alike. And I would do it all over again and in a heartbeat."

“I am the only candidate in this race with a detailed plan to eliminate South Carolina's state income tax and lower the cost of living for every family,” the congresswoman added.

Mace also stressed that her support will remain the same for Trump despite the snub.

With the June 9 primary less than two weeks away and polls showing a tightly packed field, Trump's endorsement could prove to be a decisive factor in the race.

The snub marks a significant blow for Mace, who has long positioned herself as one of the POTUS' most vocal supporters.

Despite that loyalty, her relationship with the president's inner circle has reportedly grown strained in recent months over her calls to release files tied to Jeffrey Epstein and her criticism of parts of the administration's foreign policy agenda.

Concerns about Mace's standing within Trump's camp surfaced as early as May, when reports suggested some allies were uneasy about the prospect of her winning the governor's race.

Reflecting that sentiment, one source close to the White House told Axios that Mace and fellow Republican Ralph Norman had "sabotaged Trump when it mattered most" and therefore should not be rewarded with the governor's mansion.