On Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham urged former President Donald Trump to concentrate on policy matters rather than on theatrics to secure a victory in the upcoming election. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Graham aligned with former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s recent advice, stressing the importance of a policy-focused campaign over personal attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris.
“President Trump can win this election with his strong policies, but the showmanship might not get him across the finish line,” Graham asserted. Graham highlighted that a policy debate would favor Trump, suggesting that forcing Harris to defend her vice-presidential record could be advantageous.
Sen. Lindsey Graham urges Trump to shift focus from theatrics to policy for a successful election bid
He pointed out that every day the discussion doesn’t center around Harris’s policy choices is a win for her and a missed opportunity for Republicans. “Focusing on policy is crucial for securing the White House,” he added.
Haley, who remains Trump’s last major GOP rival for the 2024 primary, had previously warned that Trump must pivot from personal attacks to focus on substantive issues affecting voters. “He needs to make a serious shift to address kitchen-table issues,” Haley had stated.
Graham also noted that top Republicans, despite their critiques of Trump’s style, should actively support his campaign rather than just offer advice from afar. “Instead of just giving advice on TV, let’s get out there and campaign together for Trump,” he suggested.
Trump allies, including former adviser Kellyanne Conway, have echoed the call for a focus on policy over insults. GOP vice-presidential nominee JD Vance agreed with Haley’s critique, emphasizing that Trump’s campaign must address broader voter concerns. “We are making the argument that Harris’s policies have led to inflation and global instability,” Vance said. Trump expressed enthusiasm about having Haley join his campaign efforts.
