'That ship has sailed': Lindsey Graham slammed after admitting there were 'problems' in 2020 election
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina found himself in the midst of controversy on Sunday, December 24, after admitting that he voted to certify President Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election despite acknowledging "problems" with the process.
Lindsey Graham's Trump conundrum
Graham's attempt to navigate the delicate balance between supporting Donald Trump and expressing concerns about the election outcome backfired, leading to a wave of criticism from both Trump supporters and political adversaries.
In a Sunday morning interview on ABC, Senator Graham stated, "I accept the election results of 2020. I’m worried about 2024. If President Trump puts a vision out improving security and prosperity for Americans, he will win. If he looks back, I think he will lose."
“I accept the election results of 2020. I'm worried about 2024,” GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @PierreTABC.
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 24, 2023
“If Pres. Trump puts the vision out — improving security and prosperity for Americans — he will win. If he looks back, I think he will lose.” https://t.co/gqT6vWyPYp pic.twitter.com/8OL6RbIlTW
However, just as this statement echoed across the nation, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, claiming once again that the 2020 election was "rigged and stolen."
On Sunday morning, Trump wrote, "I wasn’t campaigning, the Election was over. I was doing my duty as President to expose and further investigate a Rigged and Stolen Election. It was my obligation to do so, and the proof found is voluminous and irrefutable. Therefore, among other reasons, of course, I am entitled to IMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, I DID NOTHING WRONG. Stop the Witch Hunt NOW!"
Trump's assertion on Truth Social prompted Graham to amplify the sentiment, posting on X, "There were numerous legal and factual concerns about the 2020 presidential election. As the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with many others, I expressed concerns and investigated different allegations."
"The president has the right and duty, just like others involved in the process, to challenge the results. While I voted to certify the 2020 election, there were problems. It is very unnerving to see the justice system try to criminalize a president for questioning and challenging an election," the senator added.
There were numerous legal and factual concerns about the 2020 presidential election.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 24, 2023
As the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with many others, I expressed concerns and investigated different allegations. The president has the right and duty, just like others… pic.twitter.com/T9mDTu4KUC
Graham faces social media backlash
While Graham expressed his belief in the right of the president to challenge election results, his admission that "there were problems" during the certification process drew swift and severe backlash from Trump supporters,
One user on X stated, "That ship has sailed. Find another boat, yours has holes in it."
Another accused Graham of flip-flopping, writing, "Lindsey Graham ladies and gentlemen, a flip-flopping tower of jello. Disgusting."
David Giglio, a candidate running for Rep. Kevin McCarthy's seat, questioned Graham's decision to certify an election he believed had problems. "Why would you vote to certify an election when you believed 'there were problems?' Look at the damage a stolen election has caused for our nation and the world. You own that," he wrote.
Even Trump supporter Liz Churchill expressed her anger, stating, "GTFO Lindsey. You’re an A**hole and a Traitor for certifying a fraudulent election. You and Judas Pence knew exactly what you were doing."
"'While I voted to certify the 2020 election, there were problems.' What the hell kind of 'representative' are you? You should be primaried, and you should be investigated for certifying an election you understood was problematic! Holy crap," accused another X user.
Someone else wrote, "You’re the most two-faced person to exist."
That ship has sailed. Find another boat, yours has holes in it.
— Badd Company (@BaddCompani) December 24, 2023
Lindsey Graham ladies and gentlemen, a flip-flopping tower of jello. Disgusting.
— Jack Grodeska (@JackGrodeska) December 24, 2023
“While I voted to certify the 2020 election, there were problems.”
— David Giglio (@DavidGiglioCA) December 24, 2023
Why would you vote to certify an election when you believed “there were problems?”
Look at the damage a stolen election has caused for our nation and the world. You own that.
While I voted to certify the 2020 election, there were problems.”
— PA VOTER (Marla) (@PAKAG2020) December 24, 2023
What the hell kind of “representative are you?
You should be primaried, and you should be investigated for certifying an election you understood was problematic!
Holy crap.
GTFO Lindsey. You’re an Asshole and a Traitor for certifying a fraudulent election. You and Judas Pence knew exactly what you were doing.
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) December 24, 2023
In the aforementioned ABC interview, Graham drew parallels between Trump's post-2020 rhetoric and Hillary Clinton's response to the 2016 election.
“Well, you know, Hillary Clinton had the same view that she was cheated,” Graham said, as quoted by Mediaite. “He’s not the first politician to claim to have been denied a fair election.”
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