The Corruption of Lindsey Graham (Audio Edition)

Lindsey Graham was once one of Donald Trump’s fiercest critics—before becoming one of his most important collaborators. His eventual capitulation is really a story about what happened to the whole Republican Party. From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, authored and read by Will Saletan.

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While Lindsey Graham spent most of the 2016 campaign excoriating Trump as a toxic demagogue, he began transforming into his chief apologist after the election—in an effort to influence Trump on national security and foreign policy. But to get Trump to stand up to tyrants overseas, the senator soon found himself willing to compromise on rule of law at home.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, authored and read by Will Saletan.

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After Trump’s first year in office, the power shifted in Washington. Republicans went from humoring Trump to fearing him. Lindsey Graham surrendered to Trump, and began demonizing anyone who posed a threat to him.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, authored and read by Will Saletan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit specialto.thebulwark.com

After the 2018 midterms, Lindsey Graham moved to a new stage of collaboration with Trump. Graham was no longer just protecting him from accountability—he began helping Trump to usurp power.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, read by author Will Saletan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit specialto.thebulwark.com

By the time of the Ukraine scandal and impeachment, Lindsey Graham and other Republicans had grown tired of defending Trump’s corrupt behavior. But they didn’t blame Trump—they blamed the investigators, and essentially handed Trump the power to do as he pleased.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, read by author Will Saletan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit specialto.thebulwark.com

After the 2020 election, Lindsey Graham had a chance to be free—of Donald Trump, and all the rationalizing he had done for four years. But the senator was no longer his own man: He now belonged to Trump.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, read by author Will Saletan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit specialto.thebulwark.com

Even with Trump out of the White House, Lindsey Graham says that Trump is the organizing principle of the Republican Party. And everything that the senator once valued—national security, human rights, and the Constitution—play second fiddle to his loyalty to Trump.

From The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, read by author Will Saletan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit specialto.thebulwark.com