Lindsey Graham's 'effectiveness in question' after Trump took a 'backhanded slap' at him

Reacting to a video of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) being harshly booed and taunted by Republican voters in his own state attending a Donald Trump appearance, longtime journalist Lynn Sweet stated a comment made later by the former president calls into question whether Graham will ever be effective again as a Trump defender.

On Saturday Graham attempted to give a brief 6-minute speech at an early July 4th celebration in Pickens, South Carolina as attendees called him "traitor" when he wasn't being drowned out with boos.

"Putting aside the one-way loyalty we know drives only towards former president Trump, no candidate wants a surrogate to go out at their event and get that reception," CNN host Victor Blackwell prompted. "Is there any political value that Lindsey Graham can offer to Donald Trump now? "

"Well, and that is a good point because part of the branding of Lindsey Graham after the death of Senator John McCain -- there was the great bromance between them -- he shifted seamlessly to being a booster, not just a supporter, a booster of president Trump," Sweet explained.

"Now, Trump said in his remarks, kind of lukewarm, that he [Graham] helps him out with liberals," she continued. "That is a -- that's not a compliment, that's a backhanded slap. On the other hand, the people at the rally had to know that Graham was there at the invitation of president Trump. So the effectiveness of Lindsey Graham now as a surrogate for Trump could be in question."

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CNN 07 02 2023 07 17 13youtu.be