President Donald Trump, speaking via phone on CNN's “State of the Union” Sunday following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) last night, used the opportunity to promote his SAVE America Act, attack Democrats, and take a swing at CNN itself.
Trump Highlights Graham's Support for SAVE Act
Telling host Jake Tapper that “essentially we agreed on almost everything” while speaking of Graham, a former opponent who became one of his closest political allies, Trump continued, “Where he was really becoming strong was the SAVE America Act.” Tapper appeared to give side-eye over the president’s comment.
“[Graham] was really — and I think he was going to be there very, very strongly under the filibuster,” Trump continued. “He was against terminating the filibuster, and I think he was doing that because he said ‘we have a budget coming up, and we have debt ceiling coming up.’”
Trump Attacks Democrats Over Filibuster Fight
Trump then veered toward Democrats, calling them “deranged in many ways.” “They’re not going to be able to do it,” he added, referring to the ongoing filibuster face-off among Senate lawmakers over the SAVE America Act, a controversial voting regulation and proof-of-citizenship bill. Graham, who was Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, publicly cosponsored the SAVE America Act in February.
Trump went on to claim Sunday to Tapper that Graham called him in his final hours to discuss the bill. “That’s what he called me about last time. I mean, to think of it, I just spoke to him just — he had already landed. He was probably at his place, I don’t know where he was. But I spoke to him and then I got a call a few hours later saying — late in the evening at two o’ clock in the morning, actually. But they found out about it, I think about eight o’clock about his problem.”
“So it had to be something very quick because he was fine when I spoke [to him] — other than being tired, he was fine,” he added.
Trump Takes Jab at CNN
Trump didn’t let the interview end without taking a jab at CNN. “I know you don’t want to talk about any other issues out of respect for Lindsey Graham, but we would love to have you back sometime because I do have a lot of other questions for you, sir,” Tapper told Trump. Trump replied, “Sure, we’ll do that. We’ll do that. We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path.”
“Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir, and I appreciate your time and thank you for calling in,” Tapper replied. “Good, you are,” Trump said.
