ROOKE: Lindsey Graham Playing For Both Sides

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who spent the past several weeks pressing the Trump administration for escalated military action against Iran, shifted his position in a social media post Monday.

Graham, long viewed as a holdover from the warmongering faction of Republicans, is now calling for President Donald Trump to begin winding down Operation Epic Fury.

“Just had a very good discussion with [the president] about his recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal. I support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict consistent with our military objectives, but it takes two to tango,” Graham said in an X post.

He argued that success could pave the way for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, potentially ending the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. The senator credited Trump’s leadership for creating the conditions for such an outcome.

“Keep it up Mr President. Wind down the war and wind up efforts for an historic peace deal,” Graham added.

Just had a very good discussion with @POTUS about his recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal.

I support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict consistent with our military objectives, but it takes two to tango.

The… https://t.co/0EgFaFwKHj

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 30, 2026

Yet just weeks earlier, Graham had publicly urged the Trump administration to intensify strikes, including operations targeting key Iranian infrastructure such as Kharg Island, and to commit additional U.S. resources to the theater. He has been arguably the face of Operation Epic Fury, going on outlets like Fox News, to argue for his pro-war talking points, including his support for sending South Carolina service members to fight in Iran. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

The change comes at a delicate moment for Graham. Public polling for the June 9 Republican primary in South Carolina shows the incumbent leading but largely falling short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. With Republican challengers Mark Lynch and Paul Dans gaining traction among voters aligned with Trump, Graham’s softer line on Iran could be an attempt to shore up support among primary voters wary of prolonged foreign engagements.

Graham has not directly linked his foreign policy comments to the race, but the timing aligns with the possibility. Additionally, both challengers have used Graham’s almost psychotic obsession with sending the U.S. military to fight foreign wars as part of their campaigns against him.

The senator’s recent personal headlines have added another layer to the primary conversation. Photos surfaced showing Graham at Disney World holding a pink bubble wand while in line for Space Mountain. The images, first reported by TMZ, drew widespread online commentary. Graham later posted a photo of himself with a shotgun, seemingly to portray a more masculine southern persona.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Poses With Shotgun Amid Backlash Over Disney Photos https://t.co/LCqvpK1ywM pic.twitter.com/laBHCLoJSX

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 31, 2026

Graham has long faced unsubstantiated rumors about his personal life, including speculation about his sexuality. (He denied allegations that he is gay in 2018). Graham has consistently presented himself as a bachelor focused on public service. (ROOKE: Leave It To The Ladies Of ‘The View’ To Give The Worst Advice To Young Americans)

While it does seem like an abrupt change of heart in his love affair with war, Graham’s decision to call for a “wind down” of U.S. military action in Iran is the right move as American support for Operation Epic Fury continues to bottom out. And no one likes ending up on the bottom.

Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke

Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!