“Senator Lindsey Graham is working incredibly hard for the Great People of South Carolina, a State I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” Trump said.

“Lindsey has been a wonderful friend to me, and has always been there when I needed him…Senator Lindsey Graham has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Everyone in South Carolina should help Lindsey have a BIG WIN next year!”

Trump’s endorsement likely all but locks up the Republican nomination in South Carolina for Graham, who is facing rumored challenges from firebrand Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC).

Graham already has the endorsement of Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) and fellow Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

He’s unlikely to lose in the general election either. He won his previous four terms by at least 10 points, topping former Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison in his 2020 bid. The Cook Political Report rates the seat as “Solid Republican.”

Graham reacted to Trump’s endorsement on social media later on Wednesday.

“President Trump’s endorsement means the world to me. I am humbled by his faith in me as a Senator and as a friend,” he said.

“On a professional level, I am proud to have been there at the beginning when President Trump — through sheer force of will —achieved the greatest political comeback in American history,” he added. “On a personal level, I genuinely enjoy our friendship. He’s an awesome golfing buddy, who I have yet to beat. I look forward to being one of the driving forces in the U.S. Senate to enact President Trump’s agenda to make America more prosperous and more secure. Thank you, Mr. President.”

Graham wasn’t always an ally of Trump. He opposed the president during his 2016 presidential run.

He called Trump a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” in a December 2015 CNN appearance, and added that he “doesn’t represent my party.” Months later, Trump would become the Republican nominee for president.

In a 2019 New York Times interview, Graham paused when asked if he trusted Trump. “Do I trust him? I trust the president to want to be successful,” he said before noting Trump’s day-to-day volatility.

“He will change his mind in a New York minute,” Graham said. “You never know where he’ll be. I mean, I woke up one day, and we’re pulling out of Syria.”

More recently, Graham called Trump’s pardons for Jan. 6 rioters “a mistake.”

“It seems to suggest that’s an okay thing to do,” Graham added, referring to the assault of police officers by some rioters.

Nevertheless, Graham has been supportive of Trump too. He suggested the president should run for a third term in a social media message before his address to Congress earlier this year.

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“My take on President @realDonaldTrump’s address tonight: Inspiring, funny, compelling and the Democrats’ worst nightmare,” he said. “Trump 2028!”

Trump also endorsed Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) for reelection on Wednesday night.