Donald Trump has been enjoying a strong start to his second term. But trouble is on the way.
Because President Trump is facing intense backlash for this eyebrow-raising announcement.
Trump’s Lindsey Graham Lovefest Sparks Right-Wing Revolt
President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm on the political right last week when he threw his weight behind Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for re-election. The endorsement, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, has unleashed a torrent of criticism from conservative voices who see Graham as a shaky ally at best—and a outright liability at worst. While Trump’s knack for stirring the pot is nothing new, his decision to cozy up to Graham has left many of his loyalists scratching their heads or outright fuming.
The backlash hit fast and hard. Trump’s Truth Social post was swarmed with replies from detractors, including a stinging rebuke from retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who briefly held the national security advisor gig early in Trump’s first term. Flynn didn’t mince words: “Not someone I can get behind. I’ll go to the gates with you but I won’t take one step forward with him.” It’s a sentiment that’s echoed across corners of the right, where Graham’s track record inspires more groans than cheers.
Trump, unfazed, doubled down in his post, proclaiming Graham has his “Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election” and insisting the senator “WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.” It’s a glowing review that feels oddly disconnected from the grumbling among conservatives who’ve long viewed Graham as a flip-flopper—too eager to bend with the political winds rather than stand firm on principle. The president’s full-throated support has only fanned the flames of discontent.
Over on X, the dissent grew louder. Conservative commentator Shawn Farash, known for his spot-on Trump impressions, didn’t hold back: “Sorry… I am not with Trump at all with this one. Not one bit.” Farash’s frustration captures a growing unease among Trump’s base—folks who adore the former president but can’t stomach his apparent blind spot for Graham’s wobbly conservatism.
The pile-on continued with Chad Prather, another conservative voice, who kept it short and sharp: “Just say NO to Lindsey Graham.” It’s a rallying cry that’s simple but cuts deep, tapping into a visceral rejection of Graham’s brand of politics—seen by many as too cozy with the establishment to be trusted.
Scott Morefield, a columnist at Townhall, took a more measured but equally damning swipe: “Trump endorsing Lindsey Graham, in a state where an eggplant with an R beside their name would win, with the promise that he ‘will not let us down’ no less, while at the same time castigating real, non-RINO conservatives like Chip Roy, Bob Good & Thomas Massie, just shows that, while we should appreciate how he’s running the country, his ‘endorsements’ should be taken with a heavy grain of salt.” Morefield’s critique zeroes in on Graham’s cushy electability in ruby-red South Carolina, questioning why Trump’s throwing his weight behind a senator who hardly needs the boost—especially when harder-line conservatives are catching flak from the same man.
Take Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., for instance. After Trump blasted him on Truth Social for opposing a government-funding bill to dodge a shutdown, Massie raked in hundreds of thousands in donations this month. Trump didn’t pull punches, vowing, “HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him,” even comparing Massie to the much-loathed Liz Cheney with a jab: “He reminds me of Liz Chaney [sic] before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!)” Massie, unfazed, fired back in a statement, calling Graham “objectively the ideological twin of Liz Cheney.” Ouch.
Graham’s camp isn’t taking the hits lying down. Campaign manager Mark Knoop shot back, claiming, “Senator Graham shares President Trump’s frustration with Rep. Massie. Rep. Massie has become the most reliable vote for Democrats on critical issues opposing President Trump’s agenda.” It’s a bold counterpunch, painting Massie as the real villain—but it’s unlikely to quiet the chorus of conservatives who see Graham as the bigger problem.
Trump’s wrath hasn’t spared other Freedom Caucus stalwarts either. Last year, he went after Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, griping on Truth Social: “The very unpopular ‘Congressman’ from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory – All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself.” Roy, a fiscal hawk, had signaled his resistance to raising the debt ceiling without serious spending cuts, tweeting in December, “Currently, I’m against raising the debt ceiling without major spending cuts/reform. Congress needs to feel the pain of their actions and confront reality.” Roy’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment, and the White House stayed mum on Trump’s Graham endorsement.
Graham’s team, meanwhile, is leaning hard into the Trump seal of approval. Knoop crowed, “There’s no bigger endorsement than President Trump’s and Senator Graham is honored to have his support. He has earned it. Senator Graham looks forward to playing golf this weekend with Trey Gowdy and President Trump. When it comes to conservative organizations endorsing Senator Graham, stay tuned.” The campaign’s even teasing a Monday press conference with pro-life groups rallying behind Graham, signaling he’s still got some juice with key constituencies.
Graham himself took to X to thank Trump, posting a video trumpeting the president’s backing. “President Trump is on team Graham,” a voiceover booms, billing the senator as “a conservative leader, trusted by Trump, endorsed by Trump.” It’s a slick pitch—but one that rings hollow to the conservatives booing Graham at a 2023 Trump rally in his own state. That memory stings, even if Graham cruised through his 2020 primary with over 67% of the vote.
For all Trump’s enthusiasm, Graham’s long tenure—over two decades in the Senate—hasn’t won him universal love on the right. His 2026 re-election bid looms, and while Trump’s in his corner (just as he was in 2020), the senator’s faced plenty of rocky moments with voters who aren’t sold on his loyalty to the MAGA cause. The boos in South Carolina last year linger as a warning sign.
So here we are: Trump’s betting big on Graham, but the right’s not buying it. The president’s knack for commanding loyalty is clashing with a base that sees Graham as a relic of a squishy, pre-Trump GOP. Time will tell if voters warm up to this odd couple—or if Trump’s golden touch falters when it comes to propping up a senator plenty of conservatives would rather see fade away.
