Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Donald Trump’s fiercest critics, is now calling on Republicans to support their presumptive nominee.
Graham urged GOP donors at a private fundraiser Saturday in Florida to unite behind Trump’s campaign and stressed the importance of keeping likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton from the White House. The fundraiser was hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Al Hoffman, a former Republican National Committee finance chairman who also co-chaired Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid.
“He did say that we need to get behind him,” Teresa Dailey, a prominent Florida Republican fundraiser who attended the private event, told CNN on Sunday.
Graham spokesman Kevin Bishop confirmed that Graham attended a fundraiser in Florida on Saturday.
Bishop would not confirm Graham’s remarks at the private event but said the senator has been clear that he doesn’t support a third-party run that some conservatives are working to organize.
“There hasn’t been any change in his position,” Bishop said. “He’s been pretty upfront and outspoken.”
Dailey said Graham reiterated Saturday that he has no plans to formally endorse Trump because it would not necessarily help Trump.
Graham has been among Trump’s most vocal and fiercest critics but has warmed to the New York real estate mogul since the two spoke over the phone earlier this month.
Graham described the call as a “cordial, pleasant phone conversation” and said the two discussed national security threats, including ISIS.
“My criticism has been wide and it’s been deep, but we did have a good conversation. He asked good questions,” Graham said Friday on CNN, though he declined to offer a formal endorsement of Trump over Clinton.
Graham said at the fundraiser Saturday that he has now spoken with Trump several times to discuss foreign policy, Dailey said.
Graham has offered some of the most biting criticisms of Trump, including calling him a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” late last year.
And after Trump locked up the Republican nomination early this month, Graham said that Trump doesn’t have the temperament or judgment to be president and said Trump has “conned” the Republican Party.
