Lindsey Graham says Trump is ‘not far behind God’ after he survived primary challenge

Lindsey Graham says Trump is ‘not far behind God’ after he survived primary challenge ‘You’re the gold standard in the Republican world, the most consequential endorsement, I think, in the history of politics,’ Graham told Trump - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Fresh off his primary win, Lindsey Graham lavished praise on Donald Trump, calling him “not far behind God” and casting him as the Republican Party’s undisputed kingmaker. The four-term South Carolina senator made the remarks during his Tuesday night victory speech, after fending off five challengers and winning more than half the vote. “I want to start with a bunch of thank yous. I want to thank the big guy, God. Trump comes later,” Graham told a crowd of supporters, while laughing. “Mr. President, you're not far behind God, but we’re gonna start with him.” Trump endorsed Graham in March, calling him a “wonderful friend” who “WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.” In the campaign’s final stretch, Graham poured nearly $20 million into ads highlighting both Trump’s backing and his own record. “Mr. President, when you endorsed me early on it changed everything,” Graham said, speaking directly to the 79-year-old billionaire, who he said was watching on television. “You’re the gold standard in the Republican world, the most consequential endorsement, I think, in the history of politics, and when you spoke, the people of South Carolina listened.” “And President Trump, I’m coming back to the Senate in ‘27. I’m gonna win in November,” added the senator, who is known for his hawkish foreign policy views. “And I’m gonna help you change this world and change this country.” A former Air Force lawyer, Graham called for Trump to be expelled from the GOP in 2016 but has since become one of the president’s most steadfast allies on Capitol Hill — even comparing him to Winston Churchill and suggesting the Nobel Peace Prize should be renamed after Trump. His fervent support for the president has been especially evident over the ongoing Iran war. In March, he said he would urge South Carolinians to “send their sons and daughters over to the Mideast.” Graham’s enthusiastic backing for the foreign conflict served as ammunition for one of his challengers, businessman Mark Lynch, who positioned himself as “America First” and called Graham a “warmonger.” A host of MAGA voices who lost Trump’s favor over the Iran war backed Lynch, including former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump’s former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent, who resigned in protest of the conflict. But their support proved insufficient. Lynch ultimately won only 29 percent of the vote, compared to Graham’s 57 percent, while the other four challengers trailed in the single digits. By securing more than half the primary vote, Graham avoided a runoff and is now widely expected to cruise to victory in the November general election. During his Tuesday victory speech, the South Carolina senator took aim at Lynch. “What I’m most proud of is that South Carolina validated what I’ve been doing for our state, who I am and what I believe and what I stand for, but most importantly: South Carolina rejected garbage in the form of Mark Lynch,” Graham said. Graham’s primary victory adds yet another notch to Trump’s belt among candidates he endorsed who won. In recent months, a slew of lawmakers who criticized him— including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie — lost elections to Trump-backed challengers. Yet, the biggest test of Trump’s grip on the party will come in the November midterms, which will determine the balance of power in Congress. Historically, the president’s party loses seats during the midterms, and some GOP lawmakers and strategists have warned that the Iran war, and its knock-on effects on gas prices, could drag down the party’s chances. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments