Graham Dumps on Trump: Channels 'Dark Side of Politics,' Supporters Are 25% Who Believe Obama Is Muslim
GOP presidential contender Lindsey Graham unloaded on Donald Trump Tuesday calling him "a complete idiot" when it comes to Middle East policies and that he appeals to Republicans who believe Obama is a Muslim.
"Twenty five percent of our party probably thinks Obama was born in Kenya, or at least wants to believe that," declared Graham.
"There is 25 percent of our party that wants him to be a Muslim because they hate him so much," continued Graham, "There is a dark side of politics that Mr. Trump is appealing to." If Trump is the nominee of the party, Republicans "will get killed" in the general election, he added.
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Trump has raised questions in the past about President Obama's background and offered a $5 million donation to Obama's charity of choice if the president released his college and passport applications.
Graham and Trump have frequently feuded over policy and the direction of the GOP during the Republican presidential race. Graham, who appeared on CNN, was asked why he was polling so poorly in his home state of South Carolina compared to Trump.
Graham is only polling at 4 percent in South Carolina, compared to 30 percent for Trump in South Carolina, which holds the second primary after New Hampshire. Graham challenged Trump, saying, "I'll beat his brains out" in South Carolina.
Graham was easily reelected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 after many thought he may be vulnerable after some high-profile compromises with Democrats.
True to his word of responding to detractors, Trump immediately fired back in a mocking tone on Twitter, "Congrats Lindsey Graham, You just got 4 points in your home state of SC — far better than zero nationally. You're only 26 pts behind me."
In July, Trump gave out Lindsey Graham's cell phone number while speaking at a live rally in South Carolina.
Graham's harsh critique of Trump's immigration policies and rhetoric included calling them "ridiculous" and "illegal."
"His approach to describing immigrants are hurting [Republicans] with Hispanics. The way he attacks women is going to be a deathblow to the future of our party," said Graham. He added that Trump's immigration policies are "Joseph McCarthy like" and "demagoguery."
The South Carolina Senator defended Megyn Kelly, who has come under attack from Trump for unfairness. Trump has also retweeted messages from his supporters calling the Fox News anchor "a bimbo."
Graham said he "wants to be on the other side of history" when Trump talks about Megyn Kelly.
Graham has previously stated Trump is "inflicting permanent damage on GOP" and has called the New York businessman and entertainer "a bully" and "jackass" who "intimates people by calling them names." Graham added of Trump, "This guy is so unfit to be commander-in-chief."
"Donald Trump is not going to be the nominee of the Republican Party," proclaimed Graham, "if he is that is the end of the Republican Party." Graham stated Republicans will lose in November with Trump at the top of the ticket and said Republicans "should lose" if that were to occur.
Graham called Trump's foreign policies on the Islamic State "worse than Obama," because he believes Trump's threats to take Iraqi and Syrian oilfields would be a boon for ISIS recruiting.
"His policy positions are complete gibberish" and "shallow," warned Graham.
