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Trump uses anti-trans slur against Graham's Senate opponent as GOP super PAC adds $5 million to race

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 16 outlets across the spectrum.

21 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

President Trump used an anti-transgender slur multiple times in a Truth Social post attacking Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee challenging Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race. Andrews, a pediatrician, is not transgender. Trump also criticized her positions on immigration, policing, taxes and gun rights while endorsing Graham, who was appointed to the seat after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died in July. Separately, the Senate Leadership Fund, the main Republican Senate super PAC, is directing $5 million to Graham's campaign amid concern the race has tightened in a state Trump won by 17 to 18 points in 2024. Polling has shown the contest close, though reported margins vary between sources. Andrews has outraised Graham substantially, according to FEC filings.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Trump used an anti-transgender slur, calling Andrews "Trannie," in a Truth Social post

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. Andrews is not transgender

    Reported byLeftRight

  3. The Senate Leadership Fund is spending $5 million to support Graham's campaign

    Reported byLeftRight

  4. Graham was appointed to the seat after her brother Lindsey Graham's death in July

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  5. Trump won South Carolina by 17 to 18 points in 2024

    Reported byLeftRight

Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points

  1. Andrews has significantly outraised Graham in campaign fundraising

    Reported byLeftRight

  2. Polling on the race varies, with some surveys showing a near-tied contest

    Reported byLeftRight

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • The exact margin between Graham and Andrews in recent polling

    The Daily Beast cites an InsiderAdvantage poll showing Graham ahead 46% to 45%; the Daily Caller reports Graham leading by just 2.4 points, suggesting different polls or dates are being cited.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    9 outlets

    Left-side headlines mostly describe Trump's slur factually, while one outlet (Daily Beast) frames the GOP spending with a mocking, dismissive tone absent from the others.

    Trump Makes Desperate Bid to Drag Darline Graham to Victory
    The Daily BeastFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    2 outlets

    The single center headline states plainly that Trump used anti-trans slurs against Andrews amid a tightening race.

    Lindsey Graham's Longtime Republican-Held Senate Seat at Risk
    NewsweekCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    5 outlets

    Right-leaning outlets report Trump's slur largely as a news event, with Daily Caller and Washington Times instead emphasizing the competitiveness of the race and GOP financial intervention as a sign of weakness.

    Trump-led GOP intensifies support for Graham in Sensational language“volatile”Adds dramatic characterization to the race rather than describing its competitiveness factuallyMore neutral: closely contestedDisagree with this highlight? South Carolina race
    The Washington TimesRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left16

    hurled a vile slurfrantic pleavileVile Slur

  • Center1

    hurls anti-trans slurs

  • Right7

    in an effort to discredit hermocksbizarre nicknamehit out at

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    hurls anti-trans slursMore neutral: uses anti-trans slur

    ‘Hurls’ adds dramatic force to a factual description of Trump posting a slur.

    Trump hurls anti-trans slurs at Graham's opponent as South Carolina race tightens

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Loaded modifier

    hurled a vile slurMore neutral: used a slur

    ‘Vile’ again inserts a value judgment into a factual description.

    President Donald Trump hurled a vile slur as he made a frantic plea for South Carolinians to rally behind Sen.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    frantic pleaMore neutral: appeal

    Characterizes Trump’s state of mind dramatically rather than factually.

    President Donald Trump hurled a vile slur as he made a frantic plea for South Carolinians to rally behind Sen.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    vileMore neutral: (omit) and quote or describe

    Moral verdict in the reporter's voice.

    President Donald Trump hurled a vile slur as he made a frantic plea for South Carolinians to rally behind Sen.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Show 20 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    Vile SlurMore neutral: anti-trans slur

    ‘Vile’ is an evaluative judgment rather than a neutral description of the language used.

    Trump Drops Vile Slur in Frantic Bid to Save Flailing Nepo-Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Frantic BidMore neutral: effort

    ‘Frantic’ characterizes Trump’s motive and emotional state rather than stating facts.

    Trump Drops Vile Slur in Frantic Bid to Save Flailing Nepo-Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Flailing Nepo-SenatorMore neutral: Senator Graham

    The phrase pre-judges Graham’s competence and legitimacy rather than describing her status neutrally.

    Trump Drops Vile Slur in Frantic Bid to Save Flailing Nepo-Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    in an effort to discredit herMore neutral: while criticizing her

    Attributes a motive to Trump without attribution, framing the act as a deliberate smear.

    Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), with the nickname “Trannie” in an effort to discredit her.

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    mocksMore neutral: refers to

    ‘Mocks’ characterizes Trump’s intent rather than neutrally describing his statement.

    Trump mocks Darline Graham Nordone’s Senate rival as Annie ‘Trannie’ Andrews

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    bizarre nicknameMore neutral: nickname

    Characterizes Trump's language as odd rather than simply reporting it, inserting the outlet's judgment

    Donald Trump used a transgender slur as a bizarre nickname for the South Carolina doctor challenging Lindsey Graham's sister for her Senate…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    hit out atMore neutral: criticized

    Adds a combative, dramatic framing to Trump's statement beyond a neutral description of speech

    Trump hit out at the former physician in a Truth Social post, calling her 'Annie "Trannie" Andrews,'…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    political noviceMore neutral: first-time officeholder

    Prejudges her competence or experience rather than stating a neutral fact about her background

    Graham, a political novice who filled the seat vacated by her late brother, Sen.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    massively outspendingMore neutral: significantly outraising

    Uses a dramatic intensifier rather than citing the specific fundraising gap

    Polls have shown the race between Graham and Annie Andrews, who is massively outspending her GOP opponent, remains too close to call with the election just weeks away.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Hit the Panic ButtonMore neutral: Increase Spending

    Dramatizes Republican strategy as panicked rather than describing the spending decision neutrally

    Republicans Hit the Panic Button to Save Struggling Nepo Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    StrugglingMore neutral: Incumbent

    Prejudges the senator's electoral standing rather than stating specific facts about the race

    Republicans Hit the Panic Button to Save Struggling Nepo Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Nepo SenatorMore neutral: Senator

    Dismisses the senator as illegitimate due to family connection rather than describing her status factually

    Republicans Hit the Panic Button to Save Struggling Nepo Senator

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    lashed out atMore neutral: criticized

    Adds a dramatic, aggressive framing to Trump's statement beyond neutral reporting of his remarks

    Trump lashed out at Dr.

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    raising concernsMore neutral: according to a source familiar with the matter

    Attributes worry to unnamed parties rather than a named source

    …Democratic South Carolina Senate nominee Annie Andrews, by just 2.4 points, raising concerns she could cost Republicans the seat.

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    A $5,000,000 LifelineMore neutral: $5 Million In Spending

    Frames the spending as rescuing a failing campaign rather than describing it as a financial contribution

    Senate GOP Fund Tossing Darline Graham A $5,000,000 Lifeline In South Carolina Race

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    volatileMore neutral: closely contested

    Adds dramatic characterization to the race rather than describing its competitiveness factually

    Trump-led GOP intensifies support for Graham in volatile South Carolina race

    Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    hit backMore neutral: responded or replied

    Combat framing for a reply.

    David Beasley (R-S.C.) on Monday hit back at President Donald Trump for hurling an anti-transgender slur at Dr.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    hatefulMore neutral: quote the statement

    Characterizes motive; quote the words.

    The president is leaning into dangerous hateful rhetoric as a last ditch effort in the midterms

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    DisgustingMore neutral: (omit) and quote or describe

    Moral verdict in the reporter's voice.

    Trump Shares Disgusting Transphobic Campaign Video

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Partisan shorthand

    men in women’s sportsMore neutral: transgender athletes in women's sports or name the procedure

    Opponents' framing of transgender identity and participation; describe the policy.

    Annie Andrews of supporting gender affirming care for minors and men in women’s sports.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

9 outlets

Leads with

  • Trump's repeated use of the slur
  • GOP anxiety about losing a red-state seat
  • fundraising disparity between candidates

Leaves out

  • Trump's broader policy criticisms of Andrews (open borders, defunding police, etc.) are omitted by some outlets

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 9 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

2 outlets

Leads with

  • Trump's language
  • the tightening race

Leaves out

  • GOP super PAC spending

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • NewsweekCenter

    Lindsey Graham's Longtime Republican-Held Senate Seat at Risk

    Polls and forecasts point to a closer-than-expected race in the South Carolina Senate race ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

    Read at Newsweek (opens in a new tab)
  • The HillCenter

    Trump Loaded verb“hurls anti-trans slurs”‘Hurls’ adds dramatic force to a factual description of Trump posting a slur.More neutral: uses anti-trans slurDisagree with this highlight? at Graham's opponent as South Carolina race tightens

    President Trump on Monday used an anti-transgender slur several times against Sen. Darline Graham's (R-S.C.) Democratic opponent Dr. Annie Andrews, as the race for the Senate seat tightens. …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)

From the right

5 outlets

Leads with

  • Trump's attack on Andrews
  • GOP financial support for Graham
  • the race's competitiveness

Leaves out

  • Andrews is not transgender (omitted in some outlets' headlines, though stated in body text)

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 5 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    30 min later

    Its first report, Oct 5, 7:34 PM EDT

  • Center

    First to report

    The Hill, Oct 5, 7:04 PM EDT

  • Right

    34 min later

    Its first report, Oct 5, 7:38 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The HillCenterOct 5, 7:04 PM EDT
  2. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 5, 7:34 PM EDT
  3. Washington ExaminerRightOct 5, 7:38 PM EDT
  4. NBC NewsLeftOct 5, 9:07 PM EDT
  5. Daily MailRightOct 5, 9:40 PM EDT
  6. New York PostRightOct 6, 6:54 AM EDT
  7. The IndependentLeftOct 6, 9:09 AM EDT
  8. The New York TimesLeftOct 6, 10:46 AM EDT
  9. The Daily CallerFar RightOct 6, 12:08 PM EDT
  10. The Washington TimesRightOct 6, 12:51 PM EDT
  11. BloombergLeftOct 6, 2:25 PM EDT
  12. CBS NewsLeftOct 6, 2:40 PM EDT
  13. HuffPostFar LeftOct 6, 4:59 PM EDT
  14. The New RepublicFar LeftOct 7, 5:00 AM EDT
  15. MeidasTouchFar LeftOct 7, 11:09 AM EDT
  16. NewsweekCenterOct 7, 4:10 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

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