- Trump says he ‘doesn’t care’ what advice Sen. Graham gives him for his campaign
Lindsey Graham laughed off an awkward moment when CNN showed him a moment when Donald Trump rejected advice from the South Carolina Republican.
Along with other Republicans, Senator Graham is urging Trump to put aside personal attacks and focus on highlighting policies in the months leading up to the November election.
But Trump isn’t listening to his Republican ally, and Graham laughed off the latest criticism.
“Well, I talked to him a couple of days ago,” Graham told CNN’s State of the Union host Jake Tapper on Sunday.
“He and I are fine,” the senator said. “We’re going to be together. I’m going to go to Georgia with him. We’re going to try to do a unity event in Georgia to bring this whole party together.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham laughed when CNN confronted him with a video of Donald Trump saying he “doesn’t care” what advice the South Carolina lawmaker has for his 2024 campaign.
“I will stand with you in this election. I am proud of what you did as our president.”
Asked about Graham’s advice for his campaign, the former president said: “Look, I like Lindsay. I don’t care what he says, OK? Lindsey wouldn’t have been elected if I hadn’t supported him. So, you know, South Carolinians, Lindsey is my friend.”
Graham has become increasingly unpopular with pro-MAGA audiences, with many booing him even when he takes the stage with Trump.
But the former president is abandoning his first replacement in the 2024 race and, despite not following his advice, is still backing the senator.
Trump’s modus operandi is to use personal attacks to attack his political rivals. His supporters love to hear the latest insulting nickname he can come up with to refer to those he confronts at his rallies.
Senator Graham wants Trump to focus more on policy and tone down his personal attacks on his rivals
But some, including Graham, want their 2024 candidate to focus more on the policies they believe will propel him to victory in November.
“When President Trump was president of our country, we had the most secure border in 40 years. Gasoline was $1.87. Russia was not invading Ukraine. The Arabs were making peace with the Israelis. He has a lot to be proud of,” Graham listed in his interview with CNN on Sunday morning.
“I hope he comes back and takes over a state that is reeling,” he continued. “And the best way to win this race is what I’ve been saying all along: compare what he did as president to the life we lead now and offer people some hope.”