Trump sweating as 'thorn in his side' looks set for shock Republican Party win: report

President Donald Trump is “treading carefully” as he watches a rebel Republican soar in the polls in their gubernatorial race — with their political rise “alarming” some of the president’s allies, Axios reported Saturday.

“President Trump's allies are growing alarmed that Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) – who infuriated him by calling for the release of the Epstein files – will defy expectations and win the South Carolina governor's race,” Axios’ Alex Isenstadt wrote.

Mace is running to become South Carolina’s next governor, and recent polling shows her performing well against her Republican opponents. But the South Carolina Republican, while often supportive of the president, has also “been a thorn in Trump’s side” at times, Isenstadt wrote, having pushed for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein and criticized the president’s war against Iran.

Speaking with Axios, a source close to the White House suggested that Mace shouldn’t expect an endorsement from Trump any time soon.

“Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman sabotaged Trump when it mattered most,” the source said. “Their reward shouldn't be the governor's mansion.”

However, Trump is treading lightly in the race, Axios reported, given that endorsing her leading Republican primary opponent – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette – “could antagonize South Carolina [GOP] Rep. Joe Wilson,” who is the father of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, also a South Carolina gubernatorial candidate.

A political operative in Trump’s camp claimed that Mace has asked for an endorsement from the president “countless times,” which they called “confusing” given what they called her “dishonest attack on the administration in regards to the Epstein case.” A senior advisor for Mace hit back at Axios’ reporting, suggesting it to be false.

“The only people worried about Nancy Mace becoming governor are the consultants planting this story because they know the Trump endorsement isn't coming for their candidate,” the advisor told Axios.