Lindsey Graham laughed off an uncomfortable moment when CNN played for him a moment when Donald Trump snubbed advice from the South Carolina Republican.
Along with other Republicans, Sen. Graham is urging Trump to lay off the personal attacks and focus on highlighting policy in the months ahead of November’s 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 State of the Union host Jake Tapper on sunday.
‘Me and him are good,’ the senator said. ‘We are going to be together. I’m going to Georgia with him. We’re going to try to have a unity event in Georgia to bring this whole party together.’
Sen. Lindsey Graham laughed it off when he was confronted on CNN with a video of Donald Trump saying he ‘doesn’t care’ what advice the South Carolina lawmaker has for his 2024 campaign
‘I will be by his side in this election. I am proud of what he 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 didn’t endorse him. So, you know, South Carolinal, Lindsey is my friend.’
Graham has become more unpopular among the pro-MAGA crowd, with many booing him even if he comes on stage with Trump.
But the former president is abandoning his earliest surrogate in the 2024 race and despite not heeding his advice, still backs the senator.
Trump’s M.O. is using personal attacks to go after his political rivals. His base loves to hear the latest insulting nickname he comes up with for those he takes on at his rallies.
Sen. Graham wants Trump to focus more on policies and damper down his personal attacks at rivals
But some, including Graham, want to see their 2024 nominee focus more on the policies that they feel will propel them to victory in November.
‘President Trump, when he was president of our country, we had the most secure border in 40 years. Gas was $1.87. Russia wasn’t invading Ukraine. The Arabs were making peace with Israelis. He’s got a lot to be proud of,’ Graham listed in his Sunday morning CNN interview.
‘I look forward to him coming back and taking over the ship of state that is floundering,’ he continued. ‘And the best way to win this race is what I’ve been saying the whole time – compare what you did as president to the life we’re leading now and offer people some hope.’