Lindsey Graham Calls Trump’s Debate Performance a ‘Disaster’

Senator Lindsey Graham didn't mince words when describing Donald Trump’s performance during the presidential debate against Kamala Harris, calling it a "disaster." Speaking on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller, Graham suggested that Trump was woefully unprepared, and even went as far as recommending that his debate team be fired.

However, not all conservative figures placed the blame solely on Trump. Many directed their ire at the debate moderators, accusing them of bias. Trump himself called it a “three-on-one attack” against him, implying that the moderators favored Harris. As a result, Trump stopped short of committing to a second debate, further casting doubt on future matchups.

While Fox News host Jesse Watters acknowledged Trump’s disorganized performance, he attempted to highlight Trump's stronger moments. “He had some moments where you were like, ‘Oh, my God, where are we going with this,’ and then he just had some great knockouts,” Watters said, noting that the race has tightened. Laura Ingraham also admitted Trump missed several key opportunities during the debate, but like others, blamed ABC for supposedly aiding Harris.

Fox News’ Sean Hannity echoed these criticisms, calling ABC the “biggest loser” of the debate. He claimed the network didn’t press Harris hard enough on her policies, saying, "In many, many ways that pass that she's gotten has been the greatest disservice, I think, tonight, to the American people."

Right-wing podcasters and pundits were quick to pile on the moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, accusing them of going easy on Harris while focusing their scrutiny on Trump. Megyn Kelly was particularly vocal, tweeting, “Must be so nice to have the moderators running cover for you as a candidate,” before later adding, “These moderators are a disgraceful failure and this is one of the most biased, unfair debates I have ever seen.”

Kari Lake, Arizona’s GOP Senate candidate, accused the moderators of letting Harris "get away with murder," stating that she was repeating debunked talking points with little pushback from Muir or Davis. Radio host Hugh Hewitt and commentator Glenn Greenwald also weighed in, accusing the moderators of choreographing the debate in Harris’ favor.

Throughout the debate, Muir and Davis fact-checked several of Trump’s claims, challenging statements such as his false assertion that some states allow parents to kill a baby after it is born, and his baseless claim that illegal immigrants are eating pets. Despite these efforts, right-wing commentators remained focused on what they saw as moderator bias rather than Trump’s performance.

Even within conservative circles, there were moments of honesty. Fox News’ Brit Hume admitted that Harris had delivered a strong performance, noting that she “was composed, she was prepared, she kept her cool.” Hume added that Harris successfully baited Trump during the debate, which became the defining moment of the night.

While Lindsey Graham’s sharp criticism of Trump’s debate performance highlights the dissatisfaction within certain factions of the Republican Party, the broader right-wing response focused on blaming the moderators rather than acknowledging Trump’s shortcomings. As both sides continue to dissect the debate, one thing is clear: the aftermath has only deepened divisions, with many conservatives sticking by Trump, while others, like Graham, are sounding alarms about his preparedness moving forward.