Kristen Welker of NBC News grilled Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) about whether former President Donald Trump aspires to be a dictator in the fashion of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.

She played video of Trump calling Orbán a “fantastic leader.” The prime minister has held power in Hungary for the past 14 years.

“Do you think Viktor Orbán’s leadership is something Trump aspires to in a second term?” Welker asked.

Graham answered, “I think the best way to judge President Trump in his second term is by what he did in his first term. Russia didn’t invade on President Trump’s watch. Hamas didn’t try to destroy Israel on his watch. The Taliban weren’t in charge on his watch.

“So, here’s what I would say: if you’re worried about the world being on fire, you’re right. If you think Joe Biden’s policies lack a deterrence and has weakened us in the eyes of our enemies, you’re right. So, if you want the world back in order, you better vote for Trump,” he said.

Welker confronted Graham, “You know former President Trump has talked about being a dictator on day one. He’s said it’s nice to have a strong man running our country. He’s talked about retribution in a second term, Senator.”

“You know what he said? Retribution would be success. Did you know, who knocked Trump off the ballot in Colorado? Who knocked Trump off the ballot in Maine? There’s a ‘liberal jihad’ against everything Trump! I’m not worried about Trump destroying democracy,” Graham continued while wagging his finger at Welker. “I’m worried about Biden destroying the world!”

WELKER: Those were Republicans on the Supreme Court who have now put him back on the ballot, as you know.

GRAHAM: Yeah, but, the point is you’re trying to ask me, “Is Trump bad for this country?”

WELKER: No. I’m asking you —

GRAHAM: I would say that Joe Biden’s policies are bad for America and have got the world on fire.

WELKER: Senator, just to be very clear, though. He is aligning himself with Viktor Orbán, who’s —

GRAHAM: Who’s a member of NATO, who just voted to let Sweden in!

WELKER: Reluctantly, though. He has scaled back democratic norms in Hu — He has rolled back democratic norms, though.

GRAHAM: Orbán is not on the ballot! Let’s have that debate, Ok? Orbán is not on the ballot. You’ve got to vote between Trump and Biden. Biden has screwed the world up every way you can. Broken borders, the world on fire. If he’s really back, if he’s with it, if he’s energetic, get in a room with Donald Trump and debate! Take questions from people like yourself, rather than reading a teleprompter. If there’s ever an election in the history of America that deserved debates between two candidates, it’s this election.

Trump just told me, his campaign just told me, “Any time, anywhere. Let’s debate.”

Watch the clip above via NBC News.

 

 

 

The post Lindsey Graham Fumes About a ‘Liberal Jihad’ Against Trump in Testy Interview With NBC’s Kristen Welker first appeared on Mediaite.

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