Democratic Senators Face Backlash Over Graham Tributes

WHO:

TMZ - Ted Cruz was visibly emotional and appeared to be fighting back tears over Lindsey Graham's death when approached by reporters on Capitol Hill.

Alternet - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Thomas Lecaque, Kevin Kruse, Brandon Friedman, Jen Rubin, Nicholas Grossman, Eli Valley, Jamison Foser.

WHAT:

NBC News Politics - Kristen Welker discussed Graham's political legacy and its implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

NBC News Politics - Kristen Welker discussed how Graham's death impacts United States foreign policy regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

Alternet - Adam Schiff stated, “Though we did not often agree, Senator Graham was never disagreeable.”

Alternet - Elizabeth Warren expressed, “my heart goes out to his loved ones” in her tribute to Graham.

Alternet - Andy Kim described Graham's death as “a real shock” and mentioned working with him on “several international trips working on foreign policy.”

Alternet - Thomas Lecaque referred to Graham as a “bloodthirsty b------ who cheered the killing of Muslims and sold his soul to the fascists.”

Alternet - Kevin Kruse reminded Schiff of Graham’s behavior during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, asking, “Did you all have a good collegial chuckle over that?”

Alternet - Brandon Friedman stated, “What I’ll remember most about Senator Graham is how he sent my friends to die in an unnecessary war in Iraq.”

Alternet - Nicholas Grossman commented on the Democratic Party’s approval rating, stating, “the main reason is voters see Dem leaders and prominent members acting like things are basically okay instead of fighting like there’s an emergency.”

Alternet - Jamison Foser parodied the tributes by writing, “Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of my dear friend Satan, the Prince of Lies.”

Alternet - Democratic senators posted tributes to Lindsey Graham on social media following his unexpected death.

Alternet - Adam Schiff stated he would remember Graham for his “sense of humor and how he deployed it to move his policy positions forward.”

Alternet - Elizabeth Warren remarked that Graham was “always willing to negotiate, with humor and wit.”

Alternet - Andy Kim expressed he was “saddened” by Graham’s death and was “grateful” to have worked with him.

Alternet - Critics described the tributes as overlooking Graham's legacy of war mongering and his support for Trump.

Alternet - Thomas Lecaque criticized Graham as a “bloodthirsty b------” responsible for mass death.

Alternet - Kevin Kruse reminded Schiff of Graham’s behavior during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings.

Alternet - Brandon Friedman recalled how Graham sent friends to die in the Iraq War.

Alternet - Jen Rubin called the tributes “nauseating” and indicative of issues within the Senate.

Alternet - Nicholas Grossman stated the tributes signaled weakness from the Democratic Party.

Alternet - Jamison Foser parodied the tributes by comparing them to a tribute for Satan.

WHERE:

NBC News Politics - The discussion about Graham's political legacy and its impact on U.S. foreign policy took place on the program "Meet the Press."

WHY:

Fox News - Co-hosts of "The View," Sara Haines and Ana Navarro, condemned online posts celebrating Graham's death, emphasizing the "complicated" nature of his political legacy.

Fox News - Co-hosts of "The View," Sara Haines and Ana Navarro, condemned online posts celebrating Graham's death, highlighting the "complicated" nature of his political legacy.

Alternet - Critics argued that the tributes to Graham ignored his destructive legacy and the consequences of his political actions.

HOW:

NBC News Politics - Kristen Welker discussed Graham’s political legacy and its implications for U.S. foreign policy regarding wars in Iran and Ukraine.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 00:12 UTC)

Ted Cruz was seen visibly emotional and fighting back tears over Lindsey Graham's death when approached by reporters on Capitol Hill. Kristen Welker highlighted Graham's political legacy and its implications for U.S. foreign policy, especially concerning the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Meanwhile, co-hosts of "The View," Sara Haines and Ana Navarro, condemned online posts that celebrated Graham's death, stressing the "complicated" nature of his political legacy.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 22:16 UTC)

The death of Senator Lindsey Graham is expected to have significant implications for United States foreign policy, particularly concerning the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, as discussed by NBC News Politics' Kristen Welker. Meanwhile, co-hosts of "The View," Sara Haines and Ana Navarro, condemned online posts that celebrated Graham's passing, emphasizing the "complicated" nature of his political legacy. This reaction underscores the mixed feelings surrounding his contributions and the impact of his absence on current political dynamics.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 21:17 UTC)

In the wake of Senator Lindsey Graham's passing, Adam Schiff acknowledged their differences but noted that Graham was never disagreeable, while Elizabeth Warren expressed her condolences to his loved ones. Andy Kim described the news as a “real shock,” reflecting on their collaboration on international trips, contrasting sharply with Thomas Lecaque's harsh criticism, who labeled Graham as a “bloodthirsty b------.” Meanwhile, Brandon Friedman remembered the senator's role in the Iraq War, and Jamison Foser took a satirical approach, jokingly mourning the loss of “my dear friend Satan, the Prince of Lies.”

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 13:41 UTC)

Democratic senators, including Lindsey Graham's colleagues Adam Schiff, Elizabeth Warren, and Andy Kim, posted tributes on social media following Graham's unexpected death, highlighting his sense of humor and willingness to negotiate. However, critics quickly pointed out that these tributes overlooked Graham's controversial legacy, with some describing them as nauseating and indicative of deeper issues within the Senate. The discussion about Graham's political impact, particularly regarding U.S. foreign policy, was a focal point on the program "Meet the Press," where Kristen Welker delved into the implications of his actions in relation to wars in Iran and Ukraine.