U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham locked horns with Kristen Welker of NBC News as she pressed him about former President Donald Trump’s alleged aspirations of being a “dictator.”
The South Carolina Republican wrangled with Welker on “Meet the Press” Sunday over Trump’s words, his policies and his record, declaring that he’s “not worried about Trump destroying democracy” as he denounced the “liberal jihad” against the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee.
Welker aimed her ire at Trump by bringing up his recent remarks over Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who visited the former president at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida last week.
“Do you think Viktor Orbán’s leadership is something Trump aspires to in a second term?” Welker asked Graham, referring to the prime minister who has been in his position since 2010.
“I think the best way to judge President Trump in his second term is by what he did in his first term. Russia didn’t invade on President Trump’s watch. Hamas didn’t try to destroy Israel on his watch. The Taliban weren’t in charge on his watch,” Graham responded.
“So, here’s what I would say: if you’re worried about the world being on fire, you’re right. If you think Joe Biden’s policies lack a deterrence and has weakened us in the eyes of our enemies, you’re right. So, if you want the world back in order, you better vote for Trump,” he added.
“You know former President Trump has talked about being a dictator on day one,” Welker claimed.
“He’s said it’s nice to have a strong man running our country. He’s talked about retribution in a second term, Senator,” she added, attempting to corner Graham.
“You know what he said? Retribution would be success,” the lawmaker informed Welker.
“Did you know, who knocked Trump off the ballot in Colorado? Who knocked Trump off the ballot in Maine? There’s a ‘liberal jihad’ against everything Trump!” Graham fired off. “I’m not worried about Trump destroying democracy. I’m worried about Biden destroying the world!”
“Those were Republicans on the Supreme Court who have now put him back on the ballot, as you know,” Welker shot back.
“Yeah, but, the point is you’re trying to ask me, ‘Is Trump bad for this country?'” Graham said, prompting Welker to try to correct him.
“I would say that Joe Biden’s policies are bad for America and have got the world on fire,” he continued.
“Senator, just to be very clear, though. He is aligning himself with Viktor Orbán, who’s —” the host interjected, again trying to push the narrative.
“Who’s a member of NATO, who just voted to let Sweden in,” Graham noted.
As Welker continued to bash the Hungarian leader, Graham dropped a truth bomb.
“Orbán is not on the ballot! Let’s have that debate, Ok? Orbán is not on the ballot,” he said.
“You’ve got to vote between Trump and Biden. Biden has screwed the world up every way you can. Broken borders, the world on fire,” the senator continued. “If he’s really back, if he’s with it, if he’s energetic, get in a room with Donald Trump and debate! Take questions from people like yourself, rather than reading a teleprompter. If there’s ever an election in the history of America that deserved debates between two candidates, it’s this election.”
After his Super Tuesday victories, Trump challenged President Joe Biden to debate him “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.”
‘ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE!’ Trump begins crusade to get Biden to debate https://t.co/0tehkTpxCU via @BIZPACReview — BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) March 7, 2024