Sen. Tim Scott shares his inspiring journey on 'Fox & Friends': 'We are the story of redemption'
Ainsely Earhardt heads to South Carolina to learn how Scott overcame poverty to land in US Senate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has seen many obstacles on his road to the U.S. Senate.
"I failed four subjects my freshman year. World geography and civics. I always laugh because civics is about politics," Scott told "Fox & Friends" co-host Ainsley Earhardt in an in-depth one-on-one interview in his home state.
Scott recalled another "painful and miserable" setback in his younger years. The congressmen fell asleep driving down Interstate 26.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I went through the windshield. And to come out of that with just six weeks of missed football … And the rest of my life has been better because of that tragedy. That’s a blessing," Scott said.
Scott shares his experiences in more detail in his new book "America: A Redemption Story."
TIM SCOTT DEFENDS MURKOWSKI ENDORSEMENT AMID BLOWBACK FROM THE RIGHT: 'I LIKE TO WIN'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sen. Joe Manchin talks with Sen. Tim Scott in the Senate subway at the U.S. Capitol, Dec. 15, 2021. (Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
Scott recently made headlines for defending his endorsement of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for re-election amid blowback from some Republicans who support her Trump-endorsed opponent, Kelly Tshibaka.
Scott said that among the reasons he thinks Murkowski gives Republicans the best chance to hold on to her seat in a key election year is that "the power of incumbency is undeniable." He added that "she works really hard."
Sen. Tim Scott questions Chris Magnus as he appears before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be the next U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner, on Capitol Hill, Oct. 19, 2021. (Rod Lamkey/Pool via Reuters)
The senator's endorsement puts him at odds with former President Donald Trump in the key Senate race — a move that angered some on the right.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Scott told Earhardt, however, that his relationship with Trump is currently a "healthy one."
Scott and Trump worked on legislation together to incentive investment in inner-city communities. Scott spearheaded Opportunity Zones as part of the "great Republican tax cuts."
Growing up poor in a single-parent household, Scott used football as the "deliverance" out of poverty.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That was my dream. And I think it’s the dream for so many young kids, especially those of us growing up in a single-parent household and in poverty – it’s to let this pigskin be our deliverance out of poverty – and most importantly, to buy mom a house."
Scott's dream came true in 2007. Scott and Earhardt stood in front of the house he bought his mother.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I failed in high school, but thank God for a second chance. I failed in business. I failed in politics. I think for all of us, our story of redemption is that we get a second chance. That’s not true in every country on Earth. We are the story of redemption."
Fox News' Tyler Olson and Rachel Paik contributed to this report.