Lindsey Graham's death: He played sidekick to Donald Trump and John McCain, then something changed.
The essay argues that Graham built influence of his own by cultivating Trump and advancing an interventionist foreign policy.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYSlate is an established publication with an identifiable author, but this is an opinion essay rather than a piece of original, independently sourced reporting. Its institutional credibility is stronger than that of an opinion-first blog, though the article’s format warrants some caution.
- Source type — Established publication, but the page is identified as opinion.
- Editorial standards — Slate is an established publication, though this article presents an argument rather than a reported account.
- Author attribution — The article identifies Jim Newell as its author.
The essay offers a clear argument and includes the author’s firsthand recollection of questioning Graham, along with attributed remarks from Graham and Rand Paul. Much of its account of Graham’s influence and the consequences of his actions is asserted without documents, additional sources, or competing perspectives.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is a critical opinion essay that develops one interpretation of Graham’s career and influence. It includes a few quotations and the author’s recollection, but little counterargument or competing perspective.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is an opinion essay and advances a sustained judgment about Graham’s career.
- Counterarguments presented — It does not offer a substantial defense of Graham’s choices or influence.
- Source diversity — The account relies mainly on the author’s interpretation and a small number of attributed remarks.
- Loaded language — Several descriptions of Graham and his relationship with Trump are openly critical.
The essay uses strongly critical language about Graham’s relationship with Trump and his role in foreign policy. Its framing is notably skeptical of both men and of the military interventions it discusses.
- Language tone — Uses sharply critical descriptions of Graham’s conduct and relationship with Trump.
- Framing — Frames Graham’s influence as built through flattery and portrays the resulting interventions skeptically.
- Source selection — Includes critical remarks from Rand Paul but no substantial defense of Graham’s choices.
Jim Newell argues that Lindsey Graham spent much of his Senate career alongside more prominent figures, then gained influence of his own by cultivating Donald Trump and steering his foreign policy. The essay credits Graham with helping advance recent U.S. military interventions while questioning their broader consequences.
Newell divides Graham’s Senate career into periods associated with John McCain and Trump. He describes Graham as less willing than McCain to break with Republicans, but eager to join Senate efforts and maintain influence. After initially opposing Trump, Graham built a close relationship with him, despite McCain’s warning not to be drawn into Trump’s behavior.
The essay argues that Graham’s flattery and political instincts gave him influence over Trump and helped him become a power center in foreign policy. Newell says Graham encouraged Trump’s interventions, including the Iran invasion, and describes Graham’s travel and contacts with foreign governments before it. He also recounts Rand Paul’s criticism of Graham’s access to the White House.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
No good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Graham in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Graham’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Third-party presidential candidate Graham voted for in 2016
Graham’s longtime friend and former Senate colleague
President whose relationship with Graham and foreign-policy decisions are discussed
Senator who criticized Graham’s access to the White House
Part of a bigger story
52 OUTLETSOutlets agree that Lindsey Graham died, prompting tributes and discussion of his political legacy. Left-leaning outlets focus on criticism of Graham’s foreign-policy record and questions about Trump’s statements and conduct after the death. Center outlets emphasize tributes, the circumstances and consequences of his death, and his foreign-policy influence. Right-leaning outlets emphasize tributes and Graham’s value as an ally to Trump, Republicans and Israel, while also covering the death investigation and online reactions.
- ARTICLES
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
- 63
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