All posts tagged "lindsey graham"

Megyn Kelly up in arms after MAGA pinch-hitter's 'disqualifying' debate disaster

Conservative podcast host Megyn Kelly on Wednesday criticized Sen. Darline Graham's (R-SC) botched debate performance.

Kelly said on her podcast that Graham's responses left her "mortified" and referred to the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as a "placeholder" senator, The Daily Beast reported. Kelly played back the debate stage flop.

Trump had endorsed Darline Graham, 62, and asked her to step into her late brother's Senate seat after his unexpected death. During the debate Tuesday night, she was booed by the crowd in Newberry, her hometown.

“I’m just going to be honest here... I’m not that informed on national security,” Graham said as the audience jeered. "But I do support the military."

"I’m not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I support the military," she said.

Kelly was not impressed with Graham's comments.

"I’m sorry," Kelly said. "I know she’s just pinch-hitting, but that’s disqualifying, is it not?"

Tom Bevan, one of Kelly's guests on the show, questioned Graham.

"She didn’t get anything through osmosis from her brother about foreign policy, apparently,' Bevan said. "I mean, that’s all he talked about!"

Kelly agreed with that.

"Not even through osmosis, not even through sitting in the Senate for the past couple of months," she said. "I’m mortified by that answer. It’s not really, exactly her fault, although she did accept the appointment."

"But has no one looked into whether she knows anything about politics, world events, international events?" Kelly added. "This actually is an important thing to understand as a U.S. Senator."

Darline Graham's campaign in hot water as 'excessive' donations pile up: report

The Federal Election Commission has forced Darline Graham to refund Senate campaign donations from powerful backers that surpassed legal limits.

According to a Wednesday report by NOTUS, the GOP candidate for Senate in South Carolina and sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham violated campaign finance rules. Graham must refund or redesignate roughly 10 percent of her cash on hand, currently $251,000, according to NOTUS.

Individual donors may give a federal-level political candidate up to $3,500 per election, including primaries, runoffs, and general elections, under FEC rules.

In a letter to Graham's campaign, the FEC flagged "excessive" donations from powerful business and political figures like Charles Schwab, David Wilkins, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada, and Ziad Ojakli, the head of public policy at TikTok.

Some of the largest donations were more than $7,000. Schwab donated $7,000 even to Graham's campaign, while most of the other flagged donations were just over the $3,500 limit. All of the donations flagged by the FEC were given between July 29 and August 5, only a few weeks after Sen. Lindsey Graham's death.

The FEC also flagged contributions from the leaders of Blackstone, AmTrust, Micco Corporation, Westrock Capital Partners, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) PAC Denali Leadership, whose $10,000 donation went $5,000 over the legal limit for contributions from committees, according to the FEC.

Graham received more than $24,000 worth of contributions over the legal limit in the course of a single week early in her campaign.

If Graham fails to respond and refund her donations by September 21, her campaign will face a possible audit or "enforcement action," according to the FEC.

Graham is headed for a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) to decide who will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, who has raised $10 million, per CNN.

James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, was also forced to give back more than $1 million after violating FEC rules.

White House erupts after Trump caught sleeping at Lindsey Graham's funeral: 'Morons'

The White House had a sharp response on Wednesday after President Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep during his late friend Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) funeral.

Trump was caught on camera with his eyes closed on Tuesday after he delivered a eulogy for his Republican ally and former golf buddy during the service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The White House denied reports that Trump had dozed off in the church.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told People that Trump "was reflecting on the loss of his dear friend Lindsey Graham, for whom he had just delivered a beautiful eulogy."

"Anyone suggesting otherwise is a depraved moron," Ingle said.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly defended the president, who has appeared to sleep during multiple Oval Office meetings and sports events.

In May, the Trump administration had a similar response following an Oval Office event on maternal health where Trump was photographed with his eyes closed.

"He was blinking, you absolute moron," the White House Rapid Response account wrote on X.

Trump fell asleep at Lindsey Graham’s funeral pic.twitter.com/hpgtvFM4hN
— Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) July 28, 2026

Critics rag on Trump after struggling to toss a Tic Tac into his mouth: 'Like a magnet'

Critics were chuckling on Tuesday when President Donald Trump appeared to struggle to eat a Tic Tac during the funeral service for late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Trump was sitting in the front row at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., when he awkwardly attempted to toss the mint into his mouth. He missed, and then had to try again. At another point during the memorial, he was caught on video closing his eyes.

The internet pointed out the gaffe, which was captured by Acyn Torabi, senior digital editor at MeidasTouch.

"President Trump unsuccessfully attempts to toss a Tic Tac into his mouth," Torabi wrote on X.

"Apparently putting a Tic Tac in your mouth wasn't on the cognitive exam that Trump aced," MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote on X.

"He tried to throw it in his mouth and dropped it. I’m laughing so hard," Julian Andreone, Drop Site News Capitol Hill reporter, wrote on X.

"I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait," White House correspondent at HuffPost S.V. Dáte wrote on X, referencing the leaked 2005 Access Hollywood video with Trump and host Billy Bush where Trump boasted about touching women inappropriately.

President Trump unsuccessfully attempts to toss a Tic Tac into his mouth. pic.twitter.com/9wGY1oxesi
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 28, 2026

Trump appalls with 'last pat on the head' for Lindsey Graham: 'Has he ever felt sad?'

The way President Donald Trump honored late Sen. Lindsey Graham's coffin left onlookers disgusted online.

Sen. Lindsey Graham was mourned at his Washington, D.C., funeral on Tuesday after he died unexpectedly at the age of 71 earlier this month. Trump created plenty of noteworthy moments at the occasion, including by apparently falling asleep and by delivering a stunning ad-lib during the tribute.

However, he also drew online criticism by tapping Graham's casket as he passed. In a post on X, journalist and policy consultant Adam Cochran called Trump a "performative jack—" who "thinks he's testing a watermelon."

"Biggest narcissist ever," posted New York Times opinion writer Elizabeth Spiers on Bluesky. "Has Trump ever felt sad for someone else ever? If he has, it has never come up in any profile or coverage of him — going back to the mid 80s."

"Press F to pay respect," joked writer Aidan Moher.

"It's called the Narcissist's Knock, reserved for moments when a person incapable of giving a crap about another human being pretends to give a crap about another human being and fails spectacularly," posted writer Rex Huppke.

"One last pat on the head of the loyal senator who gave up his dignity for TV hits and free hats," mocked journalist Mike Rothschild.

"This is the sort of thing you do when you're the only one at the funeral who knows that the deceased is actually still alive in the coffin and you want to taunt them once more before the first shovel of dirt lands," wrote historian Charles Louis Richter.

"Biggest narcissist ever. (Not that Graham deserves an outpouring of feeling.)," Elizabeth Spiers, an opinion writer for the New York Times, posted on Bluesky. "Has Trump ever felt sad for someone else, ever? If he has, it has never come up in any profile or coverage of him — going back to the mid 80s."

Onlookers astonished as Trump appears to fall asleep at Graham's funeral: 'Remarkable'

President Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep during his late friend Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) funeral on Tuesday, sparking a wave of commentary online.

Trump delivered a eulogy for his Republican ally and his former golf buddy, then appeared to doze off during the service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Social media users were quick to notice as the president seemed to close his eyes.

"Trump, face drooping heavily, is struggling to stay awake at Lindsey Graham's memorial service," journalist Aaron Rupar, who captured the moment, wrote on X.

"We are five months out from him faceplanting for all the world to see," X user Jo, a political commentator with more than 1 million followers, wrote.

"Trump’s tribute was observing a brief moment of unconsciousness," Sundae Divine, a progressive political X account, wrote.

"Like I said before, it was remarkable to me how tired he was for an event in the afternoon. It's even more remarkable that the legacy media have no interest in what's going on with his health," political scientist David Darmofal wrote on Bluesky.

Trump, face drooping heavily, is struggling to stay awake at Lindsey Graham's memorial service pic.twitter.com/E0SzRm87s2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 28, 2026

'It sounds good': Trump lobs stunning ad-lib during Lindsey Graham tribute

President Donald Trump couldn't help himself on Tuesday while delivering his eulogy for late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — throwing a quick swipe.

Trump was giving his tribute at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., when he went off script during the speech honoring the longtime lawmaker.

"Virtually everyone — Republican or Democrat — liked Lindsey," Trump said.

"Well, not everybody. But it sounds good. Not everybody. He was a tough cookie. OK, I have to be honest. I have to veer from this for a second. He was a tough cookie, Darline, but he was beautiful," Trump added, directly commenting to Graham's sister, Darline, who was appointed to fill the vacancy after her brother's sudden death.

Graham died suddenly on July 11 after traveling to Ukraine in support of the country's war against Russia. Officials listed his cause of death as an aortic dissection.

Trump takes issue with the Lindsey Graham eulogy he's reading: "Virtually everyone liked Lindsey. Well, not everybody. But it sounds good. I have to be honest. I have to veer from this for a second." pic.twitter.com/L5JwAXxWi0
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 28, 2026

'Dementia talking again': Trump's fumbling Fox News interview sparks ridicule

Critics were mocking President Donald Trump on Tuesday after he dodged questions on Fox News over who exactly he was negotiating with in Iran and boasted about his tariff policy.

Iran’s foreign ministry has pushed back on Trump's claims about the discussions. And during an interview on Tuesday, "Fox & Friends" host Brian Kilmeade pressed Trump during a phone interview for specifics.

"We hear that you’re talking right now with leaders on Iran,” Kilmeade said. "But Iran has come out publicly and said ‘we’re not talking to the U.S.—'"

Trump interrupted the conservative outlet's anchor.

"Well, they just came out and said ‘we are talking’ a little while ago," Trump said.

"So could you tell me who you’re talking to, Mr. President?" Kilmeade asked.

But Trump didn't give a direct answer — and the internet noticed. The conversation then shifted into talk about late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), tariffs and the economy.

"Trump's dementia talking again. The old jerk has quite an imagination," Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, wrote on X.

"THE IRANIAN LEADER I'M TALKING TO LIVES IN CANADA YOU WOULDN'T KNOW HIM," S.V. Dáte, White House correspondent at HuffPost, wrote on X.

"Trump: 'I stopped 8 wars, I would say 5 of them because of tariffs,'" X account Republicans Against Trump, which has more than 1 million followers, wrote.

"That is exactly the reason why they are hurting the economy, as well as reciprical [sic] tariffs on US companies," Meidas Touch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote on X.

"This is a test for Fox News viewers: After all these lies, are you still willing to believe him?" Conservative anti-Trump attorney George Conway wrote on Bluesky.

Trump's dementia talking again. The old jerk has quite an imagination. https://t.co/8eBRpSgbrG
— Dean Baker (@DeanBaker13) July 28, 2026

'Who exactly are you talking to?' Trump stumbles when pressed by MAGA Fox News host

President Donald Trump's negotiations with Iran have even stumped Fox News, The New Republic reported.

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade grilled Trump during an interview Tuesday after the president had claimed talks were underway "right now," despite Iran’s foreign ministry saying the country has no interest in direct talks.

"We hear that you’re talking right now with leaders on Iran,” Kilmeade told Trump. “But Iran has come out publicly and said ‘we’re not talking to the U.S.—"

"Well, they just came out and said ‘we are talking’ a little while ago," Trump said, interjecting Kilmeade's comment.

"So could you tell me who you’re talking to, Mr. President?" Kilmeade asked.

Trump avoided directly answering the question.

"For some reason, we can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and they’ll come out and say 'we’re not talking' or 'we didn’t discuss nuclear,'" Trump said. "Well, that’s all we discussed, because they’ll never have a nuclear weapon, they understand that. We’ve had some very good talks."

Trump then shifted the conversation to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

"It does not inspire confidence when the president can’t confidently say who he has been in contact with while supposedly trying to negotiate an end to his increasingly unpopular and expensive war," The New Republic reported. "This conversation came after a recent pause in violence in the region, and ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on Tuesday—in which he most likely lobbied Trump to start bombing Iran again."

KILMEADE: We hear that you're talking with leaders from Iran. But Iran has come out publicly and said 'we're not talking to the US'

TRUMP: Well, they just came out and said we are talking

KILMEADE: So could you tell me who you're talking to?

TRUMP: We've had some very good… pic.twitter.com/bAqKISTbjU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 28, 2026

Trump's 'nonsense' betrayed his late loyalist's last crusade: ex-GOP operative

A former Republican strategist blasted President Donald Trump and his "vandals" for betraying Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) last crusade with "nonsense."

During an episode of The Warning, Steve Schmidt talked about how Trump is "putting a great deal of money" into Russian President Vladimir Putin's pockets with the Iran war. Late senior Sen. Lindsey Graham had just come back from Ukraine and, as Schmidt noted, was ready to propose sanctions against Russia when he died.

"Lindsey Graham, a few hours before his death, was talking about his Russia sanctions bill," Schmidt said. "When Donald Trump launched his war with Iran, global oil prices spiked, putting a great deal of money into whose pocket? That's right, Vladimir Putin's pocket."

Graham was a loyal Trump ally, Schmidt noted as he blasted "the shallowness, the abject stupidity of MAGA policy and the MAGA senators who are celebrated in too many quarters as statesmen as opposed to imbeciles."

Schmidt didn't just go after Trump but also "Jared Kushner and his Abraham Accords, which are a disaster," and Kushner and "Steve Witkoff meddling around the world," calling it all "nonsense" that's leading to another war.

"They squeeze on the balloon, moving air around it in disruptive ways that are often, in the end, catastrophic," Schmidt said. "America losing a war to Iran means that there will be a bigger, more deadly war sometime in the next decade."

Speaking about the bigger war, Schmidt continued, "All of the seeds are being laid for it right now, today, as we speak, by the foolish men and women who have followed Trump to the edge of the abyss and over it."