Trump: Graham's Taiwan Flub Was Just Honest
Trump: Graham's Taiwan Flub Was Just Honest
The News
President Donald Trump defended Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) on Friday after she brushed off a debate question about Taiwan by saying she was not informed on foreign policy, telling reporters she was simply telling the truth.
"She's very smart, and she was being honest," Trump said, according to Mediaite and Political Wire.
He added that Graham would follow the lead of others on national security: "She said that she's totally for the military — I mean, she's going to do what the military wants, and really what the president wants."
Trump then appeared with Graham at a South Carolina rally, days before Republicans there vote in a runoff between Graham and Norman.
Timeline
In a recent debate, Graham deflected a question on Taiwan, saying she was not informed on foreign policy — the exchange Mediaite described as a "foreign policy flub."
Trump, speaking to reporters, called the answer honest and said Graham is focused on issues like the price of groceries.
Trump joined Graham at a rally in South Carolina, an event MSNBC framed as an effort to clean up the debate mess.
South Carolina Republicans vote in the Graham–Norman runoff.
Reactions
Trump's line was that inexperience on foreign policy is not disqualifying — Graham is "very smart," was "being honest," and will do what the military and the president want.
MSNBC cast the rally as a rescue mission, writing that Trump was trying to salvage Graham after a troubling debate performance and putting his own influence over GOP voters to the test.
Newsweek noted the rally landed just days before the runoff vote.
What's Next
The runoff between Graham and Norman is the immediate test — of Graham's standing after the debate, and of how much Trump's endorsement still moves South Carolina Republican voters.
More
Trump also brushed off pushback from ranchers and fellow Republicans over easing tariffs on certain beef imports, Mediaite reported Friday, saying the move is "what people want."
Poll question for readers: Does a candidate need foreign policy fluency to serve in the Senate?
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