During a recent campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump took a jab at South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, despite Graham’s endorsement of Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Graham, a centrist Republican, has been an avid supporter of the former president, even betting $20 on Trump’s win in the upcoming election. However, this didn’t stop Trump from calling Graham a “progressive” while discussing his economic policies, particularly his stance on tariffs.
Trump’s tariff strategy revolves around “reciprocal” tariffs, where the U.S. charges foreign nations the same rate they charge American companies. He recalled a conversation with Graham where he urged the senator to support this policy, and although Graham claimed that tariffs weren’t his strong suit, he ultimately gave Trump his vote. Despite endorsing Trump for 2024, Graham is still regarded with suspicion by many conservatives who see him as a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and a close ally of John McCain, another disliked figure among the Make America Great Again crowd.
Trump has both supported and criticized Graham in the past, demonstrating his awareness of his base’s dislike for establishment Republicans like Graham. By calling Graham a “progressive,” Trump may have been trying to appease his supporters while also acknowledging the senator’s backing of his economic plan. As Trump walks this fine line, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will benefit him in the long run.
