GOP Sen. Graham pledges to help Trump
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) quickly pledged to help Donald Trump after the real estate mogul pulled off an upset in the White House race, despite not voting for him.
{mosads}”President-elect Trump and the new Congress will face many challenges. We have wars to win, threats to be dealt with, and a stagnant economy that must be revived,” he said in a statement. “To the extent that I can help President-elect Trump, I will do so.”
Graham — who has been a constant critic of Trump — said the real estate mogul “defied the odds and overcame many obstacles to achieve a stunning victory.”
My statement on the 2016 Presidential election. pic.twitter.com/r6FpkWPRpT
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 9, 2016
Trump shocked the world early Wednesday morning, winning election as the 45th president of the United States.
Graham’s statement came after he announced Tuesday that he voted for independent candidate Evan McMullin, a former CIA officer running with support from prominent conservatives who refused to back Trump.
Trump slammed Graham and former President George W. Bush for refusing to support him.
“But look, I beat him very badly in the primaries. People forget that, but he didn’t even register in the primaries,” Trump said, of Graham.
Statements from Graham’s GOP colleagues quickly poured in Wednesday morning to congratulate Trump, pledging to support the nominee they never fully warmed up to.
“I congratulate President-elect Trump on his hard earned win,” Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said. “The real work now begins as we address the many challenges facing our great country, and I am looking forward to working with President Trump and the rest of the Congress to move our country forward.”
“Voters sent a clear message that they are ready for a new direction. I congratulate President-Elect Trump and I look forward to working with him,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (Miss.).
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