Remembering Dolly Parton, Darline Graham Wins in SC, Trump Wants “Lake America”: AM Update 8/26

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
Am I wearing my favorite bibs from Duluth Trading? Sure am. Probably how I got from tomato planning to hedge trimming to hauling gravel down I-90.

**Brian Siever** (0:08)
All in one day!

**SPEAKER_1** (0:09)
Duluth Trading overalls. For those, hmm, what's next kind of days? Shop online and in store.

**Megyn Kelly** (0:17)
Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, and this is your AM Update. South Carolina Republicans choosing their nominee to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham following a hard fought runoff between his sister, Darline Graham and Congressman Ralph Norman.

**Kirk Heilbrunn** (0:35)
My clinical opinion is that she was criminally responsible on January 24th.

**Megyn Kelly** (0:40)
As testimony nears its conclusion in the Lindsey Clancy murder trial, a prosecution expert delivering his bottom line about her state of mind when she killed her three young children.

**Dolly Parton** (0:51)
I need the money. It's amazing how much it costs to make a person look so cheap.

**Megyn Kelly** (0:55)
Remembering the extraordinary life, unmistakable talent and legendary humor of country music queen Dolly Parton. And President Trump floating another change to the map, this time replacing Lake Ontario. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.
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South Carolina Republicans voting yesterday in a special runoff to decide which Republican will replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the November ballot. In the end, they wanted another Graham.
Interim Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, squaring off against Congressman Ralph Norman to take on Democrat nominee and pediatrician Annie Andrews, with the eventual Republican nominee heavily favored in a state where Democrats have not won statewide office in two decades. Governor Henry McMaster appointing Ms. Graham to serve the remaining months of her brother's term following his sudden death in July.
President Trump reportedly urging McMaster to make the appointment, then encouraging Darline Graham to run for a full six-year term. Graham finishing first in the initial special primary earlier this month, taking nearly 33 percent of the vote compared to Norman's roughly 25 percent. The appointment marking her debut in public office, this campaign becoming the first time she has ever sought the support of voters. Congressman Norman with a far longer political resume, representing South Carolina in Congress since 2017, a member of the House Freedom Caucus. The congressman running for governor earlier this year, but finishing third, failing to advance to the runoff. Much of South Carolina's Republican establishment rallying behind Graham once she reached the final round.
Senator Tim Scott endorsing her on the first day of the runoff, followed by Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evitt and then Governor McMaster. President Trump pouring considerable political capital into Graham's campaign, endorsing her and traveling to Myrtle Beach for a rally on Friday. A Graham victory, proof of his ability to propel a largely unknown first-time candidate who suffered a significant gaffe at the candidate's recent debate when she said she, quote, wasn't that informed on national security, calling it, quote, not my thing, passed an experienced conservative congressman. A Norman victory would deal the president one of his most conspicuous endorsement losses of the election cycle after Mr. Trump personally invested so much in Graham's campaign. At the end of the night, South Carolina Republicans choosing political newcomer, Darline Graham, giving the sister of a beloved former senator a chance to build a legacy of her own. Graham delivering remarks after the win.

**Dolly Parton** (4:28)
So, South Carolina Republicans, I humbly accept your nomination to serve as the Republican nominee for the United States Senate from the great state of South Carolina.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. First, I want to thank the good Lord who got us through these past few weeks and gave me and my family the strength to keep going. I continue to miss Lindsey every day, and there is still a big hole in my heart. But I know he's looking down right now, very proud of everyone in this room.