New audio reveals that longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin that Americans would unify around Joe Biden following the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
Graham claimed that 45th President Donald Trump’s speech on January 6 and the ensuing civil unrest would lead to a “reset,” and cause Americans to “calm down.”
“People will say, ‘I don’t want to be associated with that,'” said Graham in an interview with the New York Times reporter. He claimed that January 6 would cause “a rallying effect for awhile,” where Americans declare “‘we’re better than this.'”
Martin then asked Graham if he believed that Biden could help unify the country. Graham agreed.
“[Biden] will be maybe the best person to have, right,” said the U.S. Senator from South Carolina. “I mean, how mad can you get at Joe Biden?”
Not a great look for Lindsey Graham. pic.twitter.com/5YGMPpmrup
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) May 11, 2022
Perhaps indicating Graham’s inability to predict political headwinds, Biden has become one of the most universally unpopular presidents in American history. At times, his approval rating has been the worst in American history.
“[Trump] misjudged the passion,” Graham went on. “He plays the TV game and he went too far.” Graham said that Trump’s January 6 rally “didn’t help,” neither did “talking about primarying Liz [Cheney].”
“He created a sense of revenge,” Graham warned.
Graham cast himself as a strident ally of Trump during his presidency, but feuded with the then-real estate developer and reality TV show host incessantly while competing for Republican primary votes in 2016.
At one point the relationship tattered to such a degree that Trump gave out Graham’s personal cell phone number during one of his rallies in June of 2015.
Graham had previously called Trump a “jackass,” which led Trump to respond by calling him a “lightweight” and an “idiot.”
“He doesn’t seem like a very bright guy,” Trump said at the time. He then accused Graham of “begging” for help securing an appearance on “Fox & Friends”, where Trump regularly appeared for years.
He then gave out Graham’s cell phone number and urged his supporters to “try it.”
At the time, Graham dismissed the antics and said Trump’s actions would lead to Hillary Clinton’s election as U.S. President.
He was wrong.
