Lindsey Graham’s Campaign For Rival’s Tax Returns Ends In Humiliation
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was left with egg on his face after a smear campaign against his Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison backfired in spectacular fashion.
Graham in the last week had been calling on Harrison, the former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, to release his tax returns and suggested on Twitter that Harrison was hiding something.
Harrison, who pundits believe poses a threat to Graham’s 17-year career in the Senate, released his returns on Tuesday.
And he informed Graham with a zinger of a post that called on his 2020 rival, who is one of President Donald Trump’s most ardent apologists, to turn his attention to the president and demand that Trump release his own tax records.
Done. Now do President Trump. https://t.co/dphjGfMY6R
— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) September 15, 2020
Trump refused to release his own tax returns during the 2016 campaign and broke a promise to do so after taking office. Since then, the president has waged a pitched legal battle to hide his returns from the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into possible financial fraud by Trump and his company.
Graham blasted Trump multiple times before his 2016 election and has said repeatedly that Trump should release his tax returns.
“I think you should release your tax returns if you’re running for president in 2020,” Graham said in 2019. “I think everybody should. That’s just my view. It’d be good for the country.”
Graham, who frequently golfs with Trump, hasn’t pushed the issue since.
Critics on Twitter hammered Graham for hypocrisy and cheered Harrison’s response:
What's incredible about this is that @LindseyGrahamSC's team didn't think beyond the <1 week of press attention this stunt would get them.
OF COURSE @harrisonjaime was going to release his returns and immediately point out that Lindsey is gigantic boot-licking hypocrite. https://t.co/LBxChC4qY5— Kendall Brown (@kendallybrown) September 15, 2020
This feels a bit like going hunting with Dick Cheney. https://t.co/h1WFe4FeYv
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 15, 2020
.@LindseyGrahamSC you just got played. https://t.co/VUMDKnILfI pic.twitter.com/rfEcNTRSsy
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) September 16, 2020
Receipts
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 15, 2020
Go get him. We as Republicans support you in this election. #SendLindseyHome
— Republicans for Joe Biden (@RepsForBiden) September 15, 2020
— David ex Trump voter for Biden Weissman (@davidmweissman) September 15, 2020
.@harrisonjaime for the WIN! 🤣 https://t.co/MsznRCx5eQ
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 15, 2020
.@LindseyGrahamSC saying jack shit about tax returns is hilarious. @harrisonjaime please kick his ass. https://t.co/bkVzzI1E9P
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) September 16, 2020
I’m not a Democrat, but @LindseyGrahamSC has got to go. He serves Trump. Not the country. Support Lindsey’s opponent, @harrisonjaime. 👇 https://t.co/eUJ4aYbryP
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 15, 2020
Bluff called? https://t.co/EA5HKT0QX3
— Nick LaFave (@NickLaFave) September 15, 2020
Hey Look, @LindseyGrahamSC
Jamie Harrison has revealed his tax returns. He's not hiding anything!
Now we need you to need to ask with the same enthusiasm:
Where are your tax returns, @Realdonaldtrump???? What are you hiding?
Get on it, boy!!— CatMom (@SMSCats2) September 15, 2020
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Man, @LindseyGrahamSC walked right into that one, didn’t he? https://t.co/3uS9WZbFUZ
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) September 15, 2020
You, Sir, are getting my coins for this! Go Jaime go!
— Biden/Harris2020 (@SamanthaRemeny) September 15, 2020
I'm here for this. pic.twitter.com/i2mNIKgkIl
— Carly Norman (@carlymnorman) September 15, 2020
Lindsey Graham with a big fat hanging curve ball out over the plate.
Here's Jamie Harrison with the swing and it's going...going...going...https://t.co/21JLacN6m9— Zach Everson (@Z_Everson) September 15, 2020
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.