Speaking to mainstream media, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) revealed that he went to Florida last weekend and asked President Donald Trump to end the feud with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that began after McConnell repeatedly accused President Trump of inciting an insurrection in his quest to ensure voter integrity.
“I want us to come together as much as possible. I think we need to be united around getting the majority back,” Graham told The Hill. “The worst possible outcome for the Republican Party is to continue to argue amongst itself.”
“He’s very involved in helping the team win,” Graham added. He also claims that President Trump “made a bunch of phone calls” and is now “trying to get the best team on the field.” Graham claims he and President Trump “just talked about the 2022 cycle.”
President Trump has not commented on their weekend meeting, leading some to wonder whether Graham’s version of events is accurate, especially considering the total betrayal of McConnell, widely considered Graham’s top ally.
Based on these statements, many believe Graham sought to convince President Trump to end his ongoing feud with McConnell and other widely despised members of the Republican establishment.
In a scathing statement about McConnell – who President Trump described as a “dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack” who is directly responsible for the Republicans losing the Senate majority due to his unwillingness to provide Americans with a $2,000 stimulus payment to offset a year of economically destructive coronavirus lockdowns – the former President promised to back America First candidates and challenge establishment conservatives.
“We know our America First agenda is a winner, not McConnell’s Beltway First agenda or Biden’s America Last,” said President Trump, adding, “Where necessary and appropriate, I will back primary rivals who espouse Making America Great Again and our policy of America First. We want brilliant, strong, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership.”
While this statement was issued on February 16, President Trump made similar statements during his appearance on Greg Kelly’s program on Newsmax TV.
“The Republicans are soft, they only hit their own, like Mitch, they hit their own,” said President Trump, “If he spent the same time hitting Schumer and Biden, the Republicans would be much better off, I can tell you.”
Prior to his death, radio legend Rush Limbaugh slammed Graham for not actually trying to help President Trump, but instead trying to make the outsider President act more like a “Washingtonian.”
“What Lindsey Graham means is he tried to get Trump to tone it down. He tried to get Trump to behave according to Washington norms,” said Limbaugh. “He tried to rein Trump in and get Trump to behave more like a Washingtonian, but he just couldn’t do it. He gave it everything he’s got. He wasn’t talking about helping Trump defeat his enemies.”