Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday that he would be taking a DNA test, and that he thinks he can “beat” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in terms of the amount of Cherokee heritage that it will show.
{mosads}”I’ve been told that my grandmother was part Cherokee Indian. It may all be just talk, but you’re gonna find out in a couple of weeks because I’m gonna take this test,” he said.
Warren released the results of a DNA test Monday which “strongly support[s]” her claims of some Native American ancestry. This move has been seen as an effort to respond to critics, primarily Trump, who have repeatedly claimed that she is fabricating her heritage.
Trump went as far as to promise to donate $1 million to her charity of choice if she took a DNA test.
When asked if he also wanted $1 million, Graham joked that he “wants a casino and a million bucks.”
The Cherokee Nation released a statement Monday criticizing those touting tests as proof of heritage.
“Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven.”