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Donald Trump Says He’d Be ‘Happy’ to Run for Third Term… Then Warns What Could Happen If GOP Loses Midterms
US President Donald Trump used a high-stakes South Carolina rally to push Republicans to back Sen. Darline Graham, warning that a midterm defeat could put his agenda at risk and even lead to another impeachment attempt. Trump also addressed the possibility of a third presidential term if constitutional rules were ever changed.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Donald Trump has once again put himself at the centre of America’s electoral battle, urging Republican voters to treat an upcoming South Carolina Senate runoff almost as if the president himself were on the ballot.
Speaking at a rally in Myrtle Beach, Trump threw his political weight behind Sen. Darline Graham, who is competing against Rep. Ralph Norman in the August 25 Republican runoff. The president sought to connect the local contest to the much bigger fight for control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
And his message to supporters was unmistakable: turn out and vote, because much more than one Senate nomination is at stake.
‘Pretend I’m on the Ballot’
Trump urged his supporters to approach Tuesday’s vote as though they were voting for him again.
“Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” Trump told supporters, attempting to transfer his own political support to Graham’s campaign.
Trump argued that Republican victories are essential to protecting his administration’s agenda, including its approach to border security and tax policy.
He warned voters that defeat could ultimately threaten what Republicans have accomplished since his return to the White House.
Trump Issues Impeachment Warning
Trump then raised the stakes even further by predicting what could happen if Democrats regain congressional power.
“If we lose the midterms, I am going to be impeached,” Trump said at the rally.
The statement reflects Trump’s effort to frame the 2026 midterms as a referendum not only on Republican lawmakers but also on his own presidency.
Control of Congress will be one of the defining political battles of the year, and Trump is making clear that he sees maintaining Republican power on Capitol Hill as essential to advancing his administration’s policies.
What Did Trump Say About a Third Term?
Another striking moment came when Trump addressed the possibility of serving a third presidential term.
Trump indicated that he would be happy to run again if the constitutional rules governing presidential term limits were changed to permit it.
Under the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, a person cannot be elected president more than twice. Therefore, Trump cannot simply seek another elected term under the existing constitutional framework.
His remarks nevertheless add fresh fuel to the recurring political debate surrounding his future beyond his current presidency.
Why Trump Is Backing Darline Graham
Trump’s appearance in South Carolina was primarily aimed at boosting Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
After Lindsey Graham’s death in July, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother’s Senate term. Trump had publicly supported her appointment and subsequently endorsed her bid for a full term.
Graham entered the race without previous elected-office experience, having built her career in disability services before becoming a senator.
She now faces Ralph Norman, an experienced Republican congressman, in a runoff that has turned into a closely watched test of Trump’s influence over Republican voters.
Graham Led Primary, But Couldn’t Avoid Runoff
Graham finished first in the crowded August 11 Republican primary, but failed to secure the majority required to win outright.
She received roughly 32.7% of the vote, while Norman finished second with about 24.6%. Rep. Russell Fry was third with around 19.7%.
That sent Graham and Norman into the August 25 runoff, where Trump’s endorsement could become one of the decisive factors.
The winner is expected to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
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Debate Moment Put Graham Under Pressure
Graham’s campaign faced scrutiny following her performance in the Republican runoff debate.
Asked about Taiwan and national security, Graham acknowledged that she was not deeply informed on the subject, prompting criticism from political opponents and some Republicans.
Trump, however, came to her defence.
He praised Graham’s honesty and argued that she could rely on experienced advisers and military officials on complicated foreign-policy matters while focusing on issues affecting Americans at home.
For Trump, the controversial debate moment was therefore not enough to reconsider his endorsement.
More Than a South Carolina Senate Race?
The significance of the runoff stretches beyond Darline Graham versus Ralph Norman.
Trump’s decision to personally campaign for Graham makes the election another test of whether his endorsement can determine Republican primary contests — especially when his preferred candidate is facing an established conservative opponent.
The president is also using the race to send a broader message ahead of the midterms: even when his name is missing from the ballot, he wants supporters to vote as though his political future depends on the result.
And judging by Trump’s impeachment warning, that is exactly how he wants Republicans to view the coming elections.
