Graham’s 500% tariffs bill: populist rhetoric or practical tool?

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.

According to the author, Senator Lindsey Graham acts primarily in his own interest, so to determine whether the "Graham bill" is mere populism or a real tool he intends to promote, it’s important to assess whether he has a personal stake in it.

It’s important to note that Graham has clashed with Trump on multiple fronts — he opposed Vance as VP, backed Tim Scott instead, criticized Trump’s pardons of Capitol rioters, and even called him a “jackass” and “loser” back in 2015–2016. But now Graham doesn’t cross the line in his conflict with Trump, following the mainstream rule of survival in American politics.

Since March, Graham has been pushing a Senate bill to pressure Moscow, which puts uncomfortable media pressure on Trump, especially after his recent moves on Europe and Ukraine. If the bill gains support from over 80 senators, it will directly challenge Trump, who has made clear he doesn’t want to use his authority to pressure Putin.

The explanation for Graham’s behavior may lie in March events: he officially announced his 2026 Senate re-election bid early this year, and later, he received public support from Trump.

There is a hypothesis that Lindsey Graham is aiming to fulfill his long-standing ambition to run for president in 2028. Before the 2016 election, he stated he was “91% sure” he would run if he could raise enough money. However, his 2016 bid failed due to a lack of financial support and Donald Trump’s rise.

To secure his Senate seat beyond 2026 with Trump’s support, Graham also needs strong financial backing. To stand out, he aims to build a Netflix-worthy image as a “heroic senator-colonel saving Europe and Ukraine from Putin,” crafting a powerful narrative for his legend.

This way, Graham can not only gain credibility but also demonstrate his ability to rally over 80 senators, which insiders say would strongly prove his capacity to unite support and attract potential investors.

"The next elections begin as soon as the winner of the previous one is announced," the author reminds.