James Carville mocked Sen. Lindsey Graham for reversing course—highlighting clips that show Graham criticizing Donald Trump in 2016 and later praising him after reports that U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. Carville called Graham a "political pretzel" and argued the Venezuela operation serves oil interests more than Trump voters. The piece also notes rising tensions with Iran amid deadly protests and Graham’s warnings about potential U.S. responses.
Carville Mocks Lindsey Graham’s Flip to Trump as a 'Political Pretzel'
Democratic strategist James Carville on Tuesday ridiculed Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), calling him “always good for a good laugh” as he highlighted what he described as the senator’s dramatic shifts on President Donald Trump.
Clips Contrast 2016 Criticism With Recent Praise
Carville appeared on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber and watched a montage that juxtaposed Graham’s 2016 criticisms of Trump with recent comments in which Graham praised the president for action in Venezuela. In one 2016 clip, Graham said Trump did not have "a clue about anything." In a more recent appearance aboard Air Force One, Graham hailed the administration after reports that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, saying Maduro "is in jail, where he deserves to be, and every president has said the same thing, but [Trump] did it."
"Lindsey Graham is always good for a good laugh," Carville said. "I mean, that guy is the greatest political pretzel I’ve seen in all of my time in politics. He can get himself all contorted into God-knows-whatnot."
Graham Signals More Potential U.S. Action
Graham praised the Trump administration’s operation in Venezuela and suggested it could presage similar moves elsewhere. On Fox News’s Sunday Night in America, Graham told host Trey Gowdy that Cuba "could be next" and that it was "just a matter of time."
Carville: Who Benefits?
Carville criticized the Venezuela operation as primarily benefiting energy interests rather than the voters who supported Trump for domestic issues. "I’ll tell you who’s not involved in this operation in any way is anybody who might have thought they were voting for Donald Trump because he cared about their lives, the cost of living, their wages, or their health care," Carville said on Melber’s program. "You’re not part of this deal, junior."
Context: Iran Protests And Tension
The story also notes escalating tensions with Iran. Widespread anti-government protests have reportedly left at least 36 people dead and about 2,000 detained, and Iran’s central bank chief resigned after the currency fell to a record low. Addressing Iran on Fox News’s Hannity, Graham said: "To the people of Iran: We stand with you tonight. We stand for you taking back your country from the Ayatollah, a religious Nazi who kills you and terrorizes the world." He added a warning to Iran’s leadership, saying continued killings could prompt lethal action by the United States.
Following the Venezuela operation, the report adds, President Trump has also threatened possible action in other places, including Greenland, Mexico and Colombia.
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