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Double endorsement drama: Trump backs second candidate in red state’s GOP gubernatorial runoff
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President Donald Trump is making an 11th-hour endorsement in the final stretch ahead of Tuesday’s high-profile Republican gubernatorial runoff in solidly red South Carolina, saying he «can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other.»
Trump on Friday took to Truth Social to say that he was supporting longtime South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the battle for the GOP nomination in the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.
«I can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!» Trump wrote, adding: «With either one you can’t go wrong.»
The endorsement of Wilson appears to be a move by Trump to hedge his bets, because Trump is already backing Evette, who is also supported by McMaster, a longtime top ally of the president.
The South Carolina runoff had been viewed as the latest test of Trump’s immense grip over the GOP and the power of his endorsements in Republican nominating contests.
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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced his candidacy for governor on Monday, June 23, 2025, accompanied by his family. (Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
And his decision to back both Evette and Wilson isn’t the first time he’s made dual endorsements in the same Republican race. He’s already backing both Gina Swoboda and Jay Feely in next month’s Republican primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
Most famously, Trump endorsed «ERIC» in the 2022 GOP Senate primary in Missouri, where the two major candidates were Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens. Both candidates claimed the endorsement, with Schmitt ultimately winning the nomination.
In South Carolina, Trump endorsed Evette late last month, a week and a half before the gubernatorial primary.
Evette finished on top of a crowded field of contenders in the primary election, with Wilson second. The field also included Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy. Since no candidate won a majority of the vote, as the top two finishers, Evette and Wilson advanced to the June 23 runoff.
Mace and Norman endorsed Wilson after failing to advance to the runoff. And Wilson was also backed a week ago by Sen. Ted Cruz, the conservative firebrand from Texas.
The runoff between Evette and Wilson has become combustible, and in Tuesday’s final debate both candidates launched personal attacks and accused each other of lying and misrepresenting their records.
Wilson has worked to contrast his tenure as attorney general with what he’s argued is Evette’s largely ceremonial role as lieutenant governor. And he has spotlighted his experience as a combat veteran, prosecutor, and the state’s top law enforcement official.
Evette has showcased herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman, while casting Wilson as a career politician.
It’s been 28 years since a Democrat won a gubernatorial election in South Carolina, and the winner of the GOP runoff will be considered the clear favorite in the general election against Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson, a state representative.
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette announces her bid for the Republican nomination for governor at The Smokestack at Judson Mill in South Carolina on July 14, 2025. (Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service/Getty Images)
The brute force of the president’s endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries over the past two months, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas that grabbed plenty of national attention.
But Trump’s endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries was snapped three weeks ago when his last minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn’t enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory.
Feenstra was narrowly edged by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Zach Lahn raises his fist in celebration after defeating his primary opponent in Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial race on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Zach Lahn for Governor via Facebook)
Trump rebounded a week later, as Evette finished first in the GOP gubernatorial primary and longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina won a majority of the vote in the Republican Senate primary, and avoided a runoff.
Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, was facing primary challenges from five candidates, including conservative businessman Mark Lynch, who took aim at the senator over his support for the war in Iran. Lynch was backed by some MAGA leaders who have been critical of the president.
And a couple of days ago, Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races in Georgia and Alabama, with the one setback coming against a billionaire businessman who shelled out over $100 million of his own money to boost his campaign.
Rep. Barry Moore, a House Freedom Caucus member and longtime Trump supporter who was endorsed by the president, comfortably defeated rival Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL sniper who was supported by some top names on the right, in solidly red Alabama’s GOP Senate runoff.
In battleground Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff, an 11th hour endorsement by Trump this past weekend helped boost Rep. Mike Collins, a MAGA champion, to victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley, who was backed by popular conservative Gov. Brian Kemp.
Collins will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the general election in a race that’s among a handful that will likely decide if the GOP holds its slim majority in the chamber in the midterms.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson speaks to supporters at a campaign stop in Alpharetta, Ga., on June 14, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Jones regularly showcased his Trump endorsement, but Jackson, who launched his bid in February long after the president had endorsed Jones, repeatedly said that Trump had inspired him to run.
But in Georgia’s GOP gubernatorial runoff, the candidate Trump backed, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who was also endorsed by Kemp this past weekend, was defeated by Rick Jackson, who ran as an outsider.
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A Trump political operative, pointing to Tuesday’s loss by Trump-backed Jones, noted that «Rick Jackson set a record for spending in a statewide Republican primary. He spent Tom Steyer level money in a state a fraction of the size of California. That’s going to have an impact.»
And the operative, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, also emphasized that «Rick bearhugged Trump. All of his ads and material was about how he’s going to be Trump’s favorite governor. So the race was not really a referendum on Trump.»
Fox News’ Luke Trevisan contributed to this report
south carolina, donald trump, governors, republicans, elections
INTERNACIONAL
Hegseth steps in to ‘fix’ situation after Apache pilots suspended for ‘Salute from the Shores’ flyover
Military flyover, Parade of Sail mark America’s 250th birthday in New York City
New York City hosts a spectacular military flyover and parade of tall ships up the Hudson River for America’s 250th birthday. The event features a reenlistment ceremony on the USS Nimitz, which is preparing for retirement after 51 years of service. Various military aircraft, including Black Hawks and A-4 Skyhawks, perform precision flyovers, showcasing the nation’s military might and celebrating its rich history.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stepped in quickly after reports that the pilots of eight Apache helicopters were suspended following a low-altitude flyover during South Carolina’s «Salute from the Shores» event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Video of the Apache helicopters conducting a low-altitude flyover as beachgoers cheered and waved flags quickly went viral. However, Fox affiliate Fox Carolina reported Thursday that after the pilots landed, they were informed they had been suspended pending an investigation.
Their suspension did not last long. Shortly after news broke of the suspension, Hegseth posted on X, «We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots.»
Early the next morning, Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman and senior advisor to Hegseth, announced that «effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted.» Echoing Hegseth, he added, «Carry on Patriots.»
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quickly stepped in to «fix» the situation after it was reported that eight National Guard pilots had been suspended following their participation in a low-level flyover at a South Carolina «Salute from the Shore» event on July 4th. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images; ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox Carolina reported on Thursday that South Carolina National Guard spokesperson Maj. Lisa Alle clarified the suspension was intended to be temporary and that the pilots remained in good standing with the military.
Alle emphasized to the outlet, «We want to assure the community that a temporary suspension from flight duties is a routine administrative measure whenever a flight profile is under review. This is not punitive.»
While suspended, the pilots were continuing to work and getting paid.
Despite this, the pilots’ suspension outraged many online who expressed anger that they would be under review for participating in a patriotic event.
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A flight of U.S. Army helicopters flies past the Washington Monument and over the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Conservative influencer Matt Van Swol posted on X, «WHAT ON EARTH??!!!! The National Guard has just SUSPENDED all 8 pilots of the Apache helicopters that flew on the ‘Salute to the Shore’ flyover across the South Carolina coast. No reason has been given for their suspension. A source says as soon as the pilots landed, they got a message saying they were suspended pending an investigation.»
Another popular influencer who goes by the username Jammles9 reacted, «Are you kidding me?? This was incredible!!»
Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., wrote, «Leave it to a beach Karen to make a frivolous complaint about the most EPIC flyover ever on Independence Day. Newsflash— we LOVED the flyovers!!!»
The congressman added, «These heroes deserve to be CELEBRATED, not chastised. We stand with each of the Apache pilots!»
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Attendees watch the Independence Day fireworks display along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)
In a statement shared with Fox News Digital Friday morning, the South Carolina National Guard confirmed the state adjutant general had lifted the administrative suspension of the eight pilots.
The statement referred to the pilots as «.experienced aviators» and noted that returning them to flight status «ensures that the South Carolina National Guard maintains its peak operational readiness and remains fully postured to support both state and federal missions.»
«The South Carolina National Guard’s 59th Aviation Troop Command is an exceptional helicopter unit, renowned throughout the Army and the National Guard for its unwavering commitment to excellence and Soldier safety,» the statement read. «As is the hallmark of any professional organization, the 59th Aviation Troop Command continuously self-examines and critically evaluates its training and operations to ensure that the highest levels of professionalism and safety are maintained.
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«The subject events of July 4th are no exception, as our pilots remain deeply committed to excellence and the highest standards of safety,» the South Carolina National Guard continued, adding, «The South Carolina National Guard appreciates the outpouring of concern and support from our community and state leaders. Go Guard!»
Praise poured in for Hegseth after the decision, with Mike Davis, a former Capitol Hill staffer, posting, «This is why I love Pete.»
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Swol commented, «Really appreciate @PeteHegseth lifting this suspension. My wife and I were on that beach and we watched the flyover with my son… it was absolutely epic. This right here is why I love Pete Hegseth. Thank you @SecWar.»
pete hegseth, national guard, south carolina, military, defense, military tech, america 250
INTERNACIONAL
Descubrieron en Uruguay un dinosaurio gigante de 83 millones de años y lo llamaron “el protector”
Dos huesos de la cola hallados en el norte de Uruguay bastaron para cambiar lo que se sabía sobre los dinosaurios que habitaron allí. Esos huesos pertenecen a una especie que nadie conocía.
Se llama Mesetasaurus protector y es un titanosaurio, un subgrupo de los saurópodos, los dinosaurios de cuello largo más grandes que existieron, que vivió en el Cretácico Tardío, hace 83 millones de años.
“Con su nombre quisimos rendir un homenaje a José Artigas, el prócer uruguayo conocido como “Protector de los Pueblos Libres”, cuya capital estuvo a pocos kilómetros del lugar donde aparecieron los fósiles», contó a Infobae el doctor en biología Daniel Perea, profesor de paleontología de vertebrados en la Facultad de Ciencias de la Universidad de la República de Uruguay y uno de los científicos que hizo el análisis de los restos fósiles.
Trabajó con Matías Soto Núñez y Felipe Montenegro, que también forman parte del Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas de la Facultad de Ciencias. La investigación se publicó en la revista Ameghiniana, de la Asociación Paleontológica Argentina.
Aunque los titanosaurios fueron el grupo de dinosaurios más abundante y diverso del Cretácico Tardío en América del Sur, Uruguay tenía muy pocos registros propios. El conocimiento sobre estos animales estuvo durante décadas sesgado hacia las formas patagónicas, y países como Uruguay quedaban fuera de ese mapa prehistórico.
A ese vacío se sumaba una pregunta sin respuesta: nadie sabía con certeza qué tan antigua era la Formación Guichón, la capa de roca del noroeste uruguayo donde aparecen estos fósiles.
Estudios anteriores ubicaban a esa formación en períodos mucho más viejos, lo que generaba confusión sobre la fauna que realmente habitó esa región.
Hasta este trabajo, además, solo se conocía una especie de dinosaurio saurópodo en Uruguay: el Udelartitan celeste, un titanosaurio de una rama familiar distinta.
El objetivo de la nueva investigación fue describir dos vértebras caudales —huesos de la cola— halladas en la Meseta de Artigas, en el norte del departamento de Paysandú, y determinar a qué grupo pertenecían.
Los aeolosaurinos son un grupo de titanosaurios que vivió exclusivamente en el Cretácico Tardío, entre hace unos 89 y 66 millones de años, y su presencia en una formación geológica sirve como pista para fechar las rocas donde aparecen.
El equipo de investigadores también buscó usar ese hallazgo para resolver el misterio de la edad de la Formación Guichón y establecer si la fauna prehistórica de Uruguay tenía vínculos con la de Argentina y Brasil en ese mismo período.
Los restos fósiles del dinosaurio fueron encontrados por Guillermo Sena y Daniel Montano en la década de 1980, en un pequeño acantilado cerca de la orilla oeste del río Uruguay.
“Sena y Montano fueron a pescar a esa zona, y allí los encontraron”, señaló Perea. Décadas después, los científicos fotografiaron y midieron los restos con un calibre de precisión y los compararon con vértebras de otras especies de titanosaurios de América del Sur.
Con esos datos en la mano, realizaron un análisis filogenético (una especie de árbol genealógico basado en características físicas compartidas entre especies) para saber a qué familia de dinosaurios pertenecía el animal.
Usaron una matriz de datos con decenas de especies y el software TNT, que fue inventado por Pablo Goloboff, investigador del Conicet, James Farris y Kevin Nixon.
Para resolver también el misterio de la edad de la Formación Guichón, los investigadores uruguayos construyeron una tabla con la presencia o ausencia de 46 grupos de animales prehistóricos en 36 formaciones geológicas de Uruguay, Argentina, Brasil, Chile, África y Madagascar.
El objetivo era detectar qué faunas se parecían entre sí y, a partir de eso, estimar en qué período vivieron.
El árbol genealógico ubicó al Mesetasaurus protector dentro del grupo de los aeolosaurinos, lo que lo convirtió en una especie completamente nueva para la ciencia.
Además, pasó a ser la segunda especie de saurópodo registrada en Uruguay, de un linaje distinto al del Udelartitan celeste. “La nueva especie de dinosaurio habría medido diez metros de longitud”, dijo Perea a Infobae.
La comparación de las especies dio otro resultado relevante: la Formación Guichón se agrupa con formaciones patagónicas del Cretácico Tardío, como las formaciones Allen y Los Alamitos de Argentina, con las que comparte la presencia de aeolosaurinos y otros grupos animales del mismo período.
Eso indica que esa capa de roca es más reciente de lo que se creía: se formó probablemente entre hace 83 y 86 millones de años.
Esa datación más reciente también cambia la lectura sobre otros animales hallados en la misma formación. El cocodrilo prehistórico Uruguaysuchus, por ejemplo, podría haber sobrevivido hasta el Cretácico más tardío de lo que se pensaba.
El material de otros dinosaurios hallados en la Formación Guichón, como terópodos y ornitópodos —dinosaurios carnívoros y herbívoros de dos patas, respectivamente— aún está bajo estudio.
Esos análisis futuros, según los investigadores, podrían aportar más precisión sobre la edad y los vínculos de esta capa geológica con otras regiones de América del Sur.
barcelona,cataluña,españa,europa
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