Lindsey Graham snapped at an audience member while saying those who support family values should also support the United States sending billions in aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
A man in the audience at the Conservative Palmetto Forum on Family Issues in Charleston, South Carolina, told Senator Graham he’s ‘not a real conservative’ and accused him of being a ‘warmonger’ during two separate outbursts.
The combative senator refused to let the early presidential forum attendee in his home state overshadow his sweeping discussion in which he defended support for Ukraine despite other Republicans calling for the ‘blank check’ to be rescinded.
“That was a guy,” Graham told DailyMail.com after his comments, clearly unconcerned about the crash.
“I think the guy is crazy,” he added. “I thought most people agreed with what I said.”
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told an audience member to “shut up” after clashing over his unwavering support for Ukraine during a conservative presidential forum in South Carolina on Saturday.
The MC and the forum moderator asked Graham to speak on the burning issue of the GOP’s faltering support for sending arms and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Do you believe in family values? How would you like that to happen to your family?’ she added to the crowd of a few hundred gathered at the Charleston Area Convention Center.
‘Is!’ a member of the audience yelled towards the stage where Graham was sitting.
‘Just shut up. Get out of here!’ Graham responded, clearly frustrated after a few outbursts from the same individual.
‘If you want to talk, run and be chosen. So here’s the deal, if Putin…’ he continued, before being interrupted again.
You are not a true conservative! the stubborn audience member yelled.
I am very conservative. If you believe in family, stand up for families everywhere, right? Don’t you think that God made us all in his image? If Putin has his way, he leaves Taiwan.
‘What was Putin accused of yesterday? The international criminal court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president for kidnapping children in Ukraine and sending them to Russia,’ the senator said.
Graham told a combative attendee during the forum on Saturday: ‘Get out of here! If you want to talk, run and get elected’
Graham said that supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia is “standing up.”[ing] for families around the world. Pictured: Apartments pictured March 18, 2023 in Donestsk, Ukraine, collapse in the year-long Russian invasion of the Eastern European country.
Graham is the only non-first-term senator so far to endorse former President Donald Trump’s third run for the White House.
He stood by Trump during his visit to the capital city of the state of Columbia earlier this year in his first major public campaign swing through the states of New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Trump did not attend Saturday’s forum despite being invited.
When Graham was announced to the stage Saturday, the aide who obviously has a bone to pick with the senator yelled, “You’re a warmonger.”
‘Warmonger? You’re in the wrong meeting,’ Graham laughed, but moved on quickly.
Graham was only the second speaker on Saturday, following remarks by Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana.
The senator’s comments were followed by several other discussions and speeches, including by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is considering a run for the White House.
The event concludes with remarks from previously announced presidential candidates Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina and Trump-era ambassador to the United Nations; and biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.
The Ukraine issue has been on the minds of many Republican politicians, lawmakers and voters after several rank-and-file members of Congress, as well as leaders like President Kevin McCarthy, have said they are tired of writing a “blank check.” ” for Ukraine following the latest aid package from President Joe Biden.
Ukraine invited Ron DeSantis to visit after the governor of Florida, who could join the 2024 race soon, called the war with Russia a “territorial dispute,” amid growing Republican sentiment that the United States should not send money and weapons to Kiev.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has not announced a 2024 bid but is already widely considering a frontrunner, dismissed the war as a “turf dispute” during an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson last week.
He said the United States should focus on internal affairs and stop getting involved in international disputes.
However, Graham warns that allowing Russia to take over Ukraine would send a signal that the United States is weak and would threaten the autonomy of other nations, such as Taiwan.
He also said that if Trump were still president, Russia would have avoided invading Ukraine.
“I think if he were president, President Putin would not do this,” he told DailyMail.com after his remarks in South Carolina on Saturday.
“I told the president, I told him, listen, it has happened now and you have to be loud and clear that you can’t let Putin get away with it because here goes Taiwan,” he continued. “And the Iranians are knocking on the door and if they ever come close to a nuclear weapon, our friends in Israel will.” [be in danger].’
