Donald Trump Accused of Using Lindsey Graham's Alleged 'Closeted Sexuality' to Keep Him Politically Loyal
Wolff alleged Trump thought he had leverage over Graham, but the article reports no proof of blackmail.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYInternational Business Times UK is a named digital news publisher with an attributed byline, but the publisher information here offers limited evidence of a strong corrections record or extensive original-reporting standards. The article attributes its central allegation to one interview source and emphasizes that it is unverified.
- Source type — A digital international-news outlet; a moderate prior rather than the strongest institutional-news category.
- Author attribution — The article names an author and attributes the claims to Michael Wolff.
- Editorial standards — The article distinguishes allegations from established facts, but the available information does not establish robust editorial or correction practices.
- Source selection — The central claim depends on one interview source and is not supported with independent documentation.
The article attributes the allegations to Wolff, notes the absence of documentary or firsthand evidence, and makes clear that they are unverified. Its central account relies on one source and provides limited independent corroboration or response beyond noting that Trump and Graham did not confirm the claim.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The piece includes Wolff’s claim as well as caveats about the lack of evidence and the absence of public confirmation by Trump or Graham. The claim itself is chiefly presented through one source, with little independent corroboration or a detailed response.
- Source diversity — The main allegation comes from one interview source; no independent witness or documentary source is offered.
- Counterarguments presented — The article notes that the allegation is unverified and that no evidence of threats or blackmail has been presented.
- Loaded language — The headline and some phrasing are dramatic, while the body includes important qualifications.
The article uses a sensational headline and language but attributes its claims and repeatedly notes that they are unverified. It does not present a clear ideological argument favoring either party.
- Language tone — Some dramatic wording heightens the allegation, but the body also uses explicit qualifications.
- Framing — The article frames the story around an allegation of political leverage without establishing that it occurred.
- Source selection — The account centers on Wolff's comments, with limited independent sourcing, but this does not establish a partisan direction.
Journalist Michael Wolff alleged that Donald Trump may have used rumors about Lindsey Graham’s sexuality to influence Graham’s political loyalty. The article says Wolff offered no proof of blackmail and that the allegations remain unverified.
Michael Wolff, a Trump biographer, said he believed people in Washington widely speculated about Graham’s sexuality and suggested Trump thought he had something over the senator. The article notes that Wolff provided no documentary or firsthand evidence of blackmail, and that neither Trump nor Graham publicly confirmed the allegations.
The article also revisits Graham’s shift from criticizing Trump to supporting him, including Graham’s initial condemnation of the January 6 Capitol violence and later renewed support. It reports that the allegations have not been substantiated and that no evidence shows Trump threatened Graham or directly influenced his decisions through blackmail.
Community verdict
5 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →President accused by Wolff of using alleged private information to influence Graham
Late South Carolina senator whose political relationship with Trump is revisited
Graham's version of this story ↗Part of a bigger story
3 OUTLETSMichael Wolff alleged that Trump viewed Lindsey Graham’s sexuality or private information as leverage. The left-leaning outlets also report that Graham shifted from criticizing Trump to becoming his ally. Left-leaning outlets emphasize the alleged leverage and Graham’s political shift; one also recounts Trump’s remarks after Graham’s death.
- ARTICLES
- 3
- OUTLETS
- 3
- AVG CRED
- 61
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