Critics are mocking Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after he took his praise for President Donald Trump to a new level on Wednesday. Speaking on Fox News, Graham gushed over Trump's declaration that a deal to end the war in Iran should include Middle East nations such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Qatar normalizing relations with Israel.
Graham's Controversial Statement
“If he can pull this off, if he can get Saudi Arabia ― the center of Islam for the entire world ― to recognize the Jewish state Israel, he’ll have ended the Arab-Israeli conflict that’s been going on for thousands of years,” Graham declared. “They should change the Nobel Prize to the Trump Prize.”
Trump has complained for years that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, publicly lobbied for one, and even insisted that he should have “four or five” of them. He has seemed especially sour over the fact that President Barack Obama has one.
Trump did eventually get one ― sort of ― when Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado turned her award over to him. But Graham thinks Trump will earn one of his own, saying he believes Trump can bring peace to the Middle East.
“Nobody thought that was possible, I believe it’s possible and there’s one guy can do it,” he said. “Donald Trump.”
Reactions on Social Media
Graham’s critics on X were not nearly as optimistic. Many users expressed disbelief and ridicule. One user commented, “FFS,” while another said, “Girl, stop. You’re humiliating yourself…” A veteran group called Graham a “sad, pathetic little man.”
Others described the comments as “delusional” and a “mental illness.” One user noted, “Even for @LindseyGrahamSC this is embarrassing.” Another critic wrote, “A sitting senator watching global wars, economic chaos and democratic erosion…and deciding his biggest job is polishing Trump’s ego like a court jester.”
The phrase “Trump Prize” was widely mocked, with one user suggesting criteria such as “bankruptcy filings, hush money payments, impeachments, and approval ratings in the gutter.” Another compared Graham to historical figures like Benedict Arnold and Vidkun Quisling, saying his name should become synonymous with sycophancy.
Political Context
Graham’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts to broker peace in the Middle East, though critics argue that the suggestion to rename the Nobel Prize is an overreach. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to many world leaders, including Barack Obama, whose award Trump has often criticized.
Despite the backlash, Graham remains a staunch supporter of Trump, frequently defending his policies and actions. This latest incident highlights the deep divisions in American politics, with critics accusing Graham of abandoning principles in favor of flattery.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, such comments may further polarize public opinion. Whether Trump will actually achieve a Middle East peace deal remains uncertain, but the debate over his legacy continues to intensify.
