President Donald Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham have had a tumultuous relationship to say the least.
But after Graham publicly lied about Trump’s stance on the violence in Charlottesville, Trump bit back – hard.
Trump tweeted Thursday about the fellow Republican, calling Graham a “publicity seeking” lawmaker.
Publicity seeking Lindsey Graham falsely stated that I said there is moral equivalency between the KKK, neo-Nazis & white supremacists……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017
…and people like Ms. Heyer. Such a disgusting lie. He just can't forget his election trouncing.The people of South Carolina will remember!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017
Following Trump’s statement that both sides were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville over the weekend, Graham said Trump was “dividing Americans, not healing them.”
He continued, “Through his statements yesterday, President Trump took a step backward by again suggesting there is a moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally and people like Ms. Heyer.”
Heather Heyer, 32, was one victim of the violence, who was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters.
The feud continued in a Thursday morning statement released by Graham’s office in response to Trump’s tweets, which read:
“Mr. President, like most I seek to move our nation, my state, and our party forward – toward the light – not back to the darkness. Your tweet honoring Miss Heyer was very nice and appropriate. Well done. However, because of the manner in which you have handled the Charlottesville tragedy you are not receiving praise from some of the racist and hate-filled individuals and groups in out country. For the sake of our Nation – as our President – please fix this. History is watching us all.”
Graham and Trump have had tension in the past, with Graham acting as a frequent critic of Trump, specifically following his defeat to the now President in the 2016 presidential election.
Graham has previously referred to Trump as a “jackass,” with Trump responding by revealing Graham’s personal phone number to the public.
Jealousy? Spite? A desperate attempt to steal the spotlight?
One thing is for sure, this on-going feud doesn’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon.
-The Horn editorial team