Lindsey Graham: I wish I had some of Trump’s ‘magic’

Sitting down for an interview with Axios that’s set to air on HBO this week, Sen. Lindsey Graham discussed the future of the Republican Party after Donald Trump.

Graham told journalist Jonathan Swan that he’s trying to maintain a relationship with Trump in the wake of the Capitol riot. “I still consider him a friend,” Graham said. “What happened was a dark day in American history, and we’re going to move forward.”

“I want us to continue the policies that I think will make America strong,” Graham continued. “I believe the best way for the Republican Party to do that is with Trump, not without Trump.”

The South Carolina Republican went on to say that Trump achieved a level of charisma that GOP figures like Mitt Romney or John McCain could never reach.

“There’s something about Trump,” he said. “There’s a dark side and there’s some magic there. What I’m trying to do is just harness the magic.”

“To me, Donald Trump is sort of a cross between Jesse Helms, Ronald Reagan and P.T. Barnum. He could make the Republican Party something that nobody else I know can make it.”

Watch an excerpt from the interview below:

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Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.