Lindsey Graham (T-SC) strikes back at John Kelly’s ‘fascist’ comment about Trump: ‘Desperate’

Story by Stephen Sorace. October 27, 2024.

  • Lindsey Graham’s (T-SC) Response: Senator Lindsey Graham (T-SC) criticized John Kelly’s comment labeling Trump as a “fascist,” calling it a sign of desperation from the Harris campaign.
  • Trump’s Record: Lindsey Graham (T-SC) defended Trump’s record, highlighting his support for Israel, secure borders, and low inflation during his presidency.
  • Criticism of Generals: Lindsey Graham (T-SC) dismissed criticisms from retired generals, suggesting their comments were politically motivated.
  • Harris Comments: Lindsey Graham (T-SC) clarified that he does not view Kamala Harris as a fascist or communist, but rather as ineffective and incompetent.

“Kelly’s undermining a concept that’s been good for America. I think our generals have sort of been apolitical. He’s entitled to his opinion. I just categorically reject it. Three weeks before the election, you’re calling basically Trump Hitler, a fascist, is not going to resonate. What happened to joy on the Democratic side? They went from joy to now Trump is Hitler. Well, that’s desperation. I think General Kelly’s criticisms are not based on facts. I think it’s emotional, it’s sad, and it’s not going to matter. – Sen. Lindsey Graham (T-SC).1

Graham (T-SC) further struck back on Kelly’s “fascist” comment, asking Americans to look at Trump’s record as “a friend of Israel unlike any other” and how he helped put Israel “in the strongest position they’ve been in.” He also said there were no wars, the border was at its most secure and inflation was down, all on Trump’s watch.

Graham (T-SC) was also asked about criticisms that retired four-star Gens. Mark Milley and Jim Mattis, who both served in the Trump administration, also made about the former president.2

In fact, former House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney has held some public events with Harris, including one in Wisconsin in which Charlie Sykes — an MSNBC Daily columnist and conservative media host who’s also broken with his party and backed Harris — reminded the former Wyoming congresswoman about Lindsey Graham (T-SC)’s on-air comments, and asked for her reaction.

“Well, don’t listen to Lindsey Graham (T-SC),” Cheney responded. “It’s good life advice, actually.”

It was a funny line, and it generated some applause from the audience, but that’s not all Cheney has had to say on the matter. In fact, at the same event, Cheney also said, “If you wouldn’t … hire somebody to babysit your kids, you shouldn’t make that guy president of the United States. In this election, we need to elect the person who is the responsible adult.” – Liz Cheney (R-WY)

  1. @RalphHightower: Lindsey Graham (T-SC) just wants to keep his golf privileges. ↩

  2. Numerous former Trump administration staff have provided similar comments. Bolton, one of his many press secretaries. ↩