Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) on Friday colorfully explained he doesn't care what critics say about his relationship with President Donald Trump, arguing that working with the president doesn’t make him "two-faced."
"If you don't like me working with President Trump to make the world a better place, I don't give a shit," Graham told CNN's Kate Bolduan.
Bolduan was questioning Graham about Trump’s criticism of his predecessor Barack Obama when she expressed doubt that one can trust anything the president says. Trump blamed Obama for Russia annexing Crimea, and while Graham defended the president, Bolduan found Trump's blame to be inconsistent with his administration's sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
Graham said he is focused on Trump’s results rather than his style, prompting Bolduan to target the senator’s own relationship with Trump.
"You went from — I'm going to sum it up — hating him, making fun of him, finding peace with trying to work with him, where you can work with him, then he comes out and hits you again on whatever he decided to on a given day," Bolduan said. "Do you trust him now?"
"I trust him in terms of trying to do things that are big and matter," Graham said. "Here's what I've got: I've got a relationship with the president at a time when I think he needs allies."
"But if people say, ‘This is two-faced – where is the Lindsey Graham of standing up to Donald Trump?’ What do you say?" Bolduan asked.
"I'll tell him when I think he's wrong," Graham answered, before explaining his problem with such criticism.
Let me tell you about the critics. When I worked with President Obama, and I did on occasion, I was a hero. Now, when I work with President Trump, I'm two-faced. I know how the game is played, and I don't give a damn. I'm going to do what's best for the country. I like the president. I want to help him. I hope he's successful. He's been a friend to me, and he says some things I don't agree with. If you don't like me working with President Trump to make the world a better place, I don't give a shit.
Bolduan appeared uncomfortable and transitioned to the next story.
"And there you have it. Senator Lindsey Graham, in only the way Senator Lindsey Graham can always have the last word in an interview with me," she said.